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Jets Hopeful Speed Merchant Rookie Can 'Drop' 1 Key Worry

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Adam Schultz | Last updated May 10, 2025 10:45 AM ET

The New York Jets needed some more offensive weaponry for Justin Fields after signing him in free agency, and the franchise waited until the draft to do it.

Tight end Mason Taylor was selected in the second round, and receiver Arian Smith was taken in the fourth round.

Taylor is expected to jump straight to the top of the tight end depth chart and be a security blanket for Fields, while Smith boasts 4.36 speed that both head coach Aaron Glenn and Darren Mougey loved.

However, as with all draft picks, there are red flags, and when it comes to Smith, he has a big one - drops.

And ESPN's Jeremy Fowler states that the Jets hope the receiver can fix his issue.

"The Jets are hopeful that fourth-round receiver Arian Smith can curb his drops issue," Fowler wrote. "Expect New York to use him on smoke routes and jet sweeps to utilize his speed early and ease him into the offense."

For Smith, last season with the Georgia Bulldogs, he had 10 drops, the most by a player in the SEC since 2016, per 247 Sports.

With Fields the new quarterback, he needs confidence in his receivers, because if he is throwing to Smith and the rookie is constantly dropping passes, confidence will drain and Smith will find himself sitting on the bench.

The offseason activities will be where Smith can work on what is a big issue in the NFL, and training camp will likely see the chemistry between him and Fields grow.

Unless he keeps dropping passes.

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

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