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Jets Exciting Rookie Displays Juice With 1 Major Problem

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Adam Schultz | Last updated May 11, 2025 11:35 AM ET

New York Jets rookie minicamp is underway, with Aaron Glenn's first look at the 2025 class impressing the first-time head coach.

With all rookies now looking to impress the coaching staff and hope to make their way up the depth chart, this is a crucial period in evaluating their play.

For one rookie in particular, there are a lot of eyes on, and it is fourth-round receiver Arian Smith.

Coming from the Georgia Bulldogs, where he had a whopping 10 drops last season, Smith knows that he simply has to fix that issue.

And going by Glenn's words, he's off to a good start.

"Arian has some juice, doesn't he? ... He can run and he's bouncy and he's a really good athlete," Glenn said. "And I thought the first day, he went out there and he was really focused on making sure that 'I see through the ball, and I make sure that I can bring it in.' I think he did a good job yesterday catching the ball."

Smith's blistering speed is what caught the Jets' eye, as it is a thing you simply can't coach, and defenses have to worry about it at all times.

But the drops? Yeah, that's a big issue.

With Justin Fields looking to establish himself in the league as the starter for New York, he needs reliable weapons, and if Smith can't fix his drop issue, he isn't likely to see many targets from Fields this season.

So yes, it is early, but Smith appears to be determined to show the Jets coaching staff he's doing everything he can to fix an issue that won't fly in the NFL.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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