The New York Jets raised many sets of eyebrows around the league when they used a fourth-round pick on Georgia wide receiver Arian Smith, as many analysts believed that his concerning drop problems overshadowed his genuine game-breaking speed. Still, Aaron Glenn and Darren Mougey were undeterred.
Smith will arrive in the pros on a Jets team that has star wide receiver Garrett Wilson at the top of their depth chart and a bunch of flotsam behind him. Josh Reynolds and Allen Lazard are the favorites to earn the next two top wide receiver spots, but things are so fluid that anyone could seize that role.
His speed has already drawn praise from Glenn, who is well aware of the type of weapon Smith can be when fully realized. It's not just the Jets coaches who are watching Smith start to improve.
Both Bleacher Report and Jets X-Factor are catching onto the Smith hype train, noting that his ability to get separation has been supplemented by the fact that he is making some major progress when it comes to holding onto the ball more than he did in college. If Smith's drop problem is fixed, he could be in for a productive rookie year.
Jets rookie WR Arian Smith drawing praise after strong OTA session
Smith only had one season of excellent performance at Georgia, and there are concerns about his ability to be a viable YAC weapon over the middle. These flaws, along with some injuries, contributed to his selection early in the fourth round being viewed as Mougey's biggest reach in his inaugural draft class.
However, Glenn is envisioning Smith fixing his problems in much the same way Jameson Williams did during his time with the Detroit Lions. Smith's speed is so extraordinary that he has immediately become one of the fastest players in the league, and Glenn can't coach that out of him.
Reynolds is fresh off his worst season in years, Lazard has been on thin ice for what feels like his entire career with the Jets, and free agent signing Tyler Johnson is guaranteed next to nothing. Malachi Corley might have been a former No. 65 overall pick, but he is starting from complete zero.
Smith isn't going to be Justin Fields' top target, and speedy players like him often thrive in non-padded practices that show off his electric physical traits, but there is a very real possibility that he ends up forcing his way into the team's offensive game plan.
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