When the New York Jets drafted Georgia vast receiver Arian Smith with the a hundred and tenth decide within the NFL draft final season, it was met with loads of criticism from followers and pundits alike. Having dropped ten balls throughout his closing collegiate season, many seen Smith as a late day three decide or maybe even as an undrafted free agent. The Jets disagreed, and took him within the fourth spherical.
“You can see why Arian Smith doesn’t get much playing time. The last thing that should be is an interception”.
– Ross Tucker on Brady Cook dinner’s late INT pic.twitter.com/iqJQgpLTZB
Whereas expectations had been universally low for Smith, he managed to return up effectively wanting what the worst prognosticators anticipated. He would catch simply seven passes for 52 yards on the season. And whereas it’s usually silly to imagine a fourth spherical decide is on the recent seat after only one 12 months, that could be the case with Smith.
Since drafting Smith, the Jets have additionally added AD Mitchell and first-round decide Omar Cooper Jr. If we assume final 12 months’s group MVP Isaiah Williams is a lock to make the roster, that’s a complete of 4 receivers earlier than Smith is even a consideration. If Smith can’t do a greater job of holding on to the soccer, successful that fifth receiver spot gained’t be straightforward.
UDFAs who do not play in 12 months one are sometimes forgotten when the brand new crop of rookies roll in.
While you return and look, there have been loads of causes to be optimistic about him.
Hope he sticks. https://t.co/zhMsfwYZce
If we went solely on how every participant seemed in preseason final 12 months, it could be truthful to say that undrafted free agent vast receiver Jamaal Pritchett was extra spectacular than Smith. A shifty slot receiver sort, Pritchett confirmed the kind of agility and acceleration that might make him a risk if given a chance.
We didn’t hear an entire lot about Smith throughout OTAs or minicamp, that means coaching camp and preseason might be his subsequent shot to open some eyes and discover his strategy to an impactful position in 2026.
Glenn was Born within the Bronx, New York and has adopted the Jets religiously regardless of being stationed in a number of totally different international locations and time zones world wide. He now resides in England and has been a JetNation member since 2005. Glenn will bleed inexperienced with the remainder of us by means of the highs and lows.
