The NFL offseason rarely provides definitive answers, but it does offer glimpses of potential, and the New York Jets may have uncovered a gem.
Rookie wide receiver Arian Smith, a fourth-round pick out of Georgia, has emerged as one of the most talked-about players in OTAs. His elite speed, often considered his best asset, is beginning to show up consistently in practice.
Jets Rookie Arian Smith Impresses in Early Practices, Channels DeSean Jackson
Smith, who scored 10 touchdowns during his time at Georgia, is gaining attention not just for his wheels but for his improved hands and route running.
Although there were concerns about his durability and hands during his college career, the Georgia alumnus has been regularly creating separation in practices observed by the media and has shown noticeable improvement in his pass-catching ability compared to his time at Georgia.
#Jets might’ve gotten something very special in Arian Smith 💨 pic.twitter.com/mskDnKOcGy
— Harrison Glaser (@NYJetsTFMedia) May 29, 2025
This early momentum has not gone unnoticed by the Jets’ coaching staff, who seem ready to give Smith responsibilities that go beyond what’s typical for a mid-round pick. One of those roles could be on special teams — a notable development considering Smith never returned kicks during his college career. Yet, Jets special teams coordinator Chris Banjo is optimistic.
“We were fortunate enough to draft Arian (Smith) and he’s been able to flash some things, some very, very good things,” Banjo said via Nick Faria of Jets X-Factor. “I know people talk about his hands in the past, but he’s honestly shown us some great things here early on.”
Even without game-day pads, Smith has showcased traits that could make him a dynamic offensive threat. In one OTA session, he created separation but was unable to haul in a wildly overthrown pass—still, the takeaway was his refined route-running and ability to gain space against defenders.
The Jets see potential beyond the wide receiver role, particularly in Smith’s natural feel for returning kicks. Banjo added, “Again, to see how natural he’s kind of been back there … I think it’s our job as coaches to make sure we try to get the best out of them.”
Given his size, speed, and developing skill set, comparisons to former Eagles star DeSean Jackson have surfaced. Jackson, known as perhaps the greatest deep threat in NFL history, similarly dealt with early-career concerns about drops and size but turned those into assets. Smith isn’t shying away from those comparisons.
“One of my favorite players to catch the ball down the field is Jackson,” Smith said. “I feel I can be as good as I want to be. As good as I work to be.”
Though Smith has made it clear he’s carving his own identity, his emergence has already added a long-missing element to the Jets’ offense: game-breaking speed. If his early flashes translate into regular-season production, the Jets’ most polarizing pick could soon become one of their most impactful.