Jets fans have been clamoring for the team to draft a wide receiver in this year’s draft.
Finally, in Round 4, Gang Green added a pass-catching weapon for quarterback Justin Fields.
At pick 110 overall, the Jets selected Georgia wide receiver Arian Smith, who led the team in receiving yards a season ago.
Smith was sitting on the couch with his family when the Jets called and told him they were selecting him in the fourth round.
“I’m just feeling a lot of emotions,” Smith said. “It has been a long 48 hours. I felt the phone vibrating and I seen it was for the Jets and the call was from New York and my heart sank to the floor.
“They asked me if I’m ready to be Jet and get to work. … I just told them, ‘Yeah, I’m ready, and I appreciate them, and I’m honored and blessed that they called me and gave me an opportunity.’”
Smith said he spoke with the Jets many times during the pre-draft process, including a Zoom interview and a Top 30 visit.
Smith was one of the fastest receivers available in this year’s draft class. He has a strong track and field background dating back to high school. In college, he participated in the 100-meter, 200-meter, and long jump events for the Bulldogs.
At the NFL Combine in February, Smith ran a 4.36 40-yard dash. Because he has the speed to take the top off, opposing defenses must keep a safety or two over the top because college corners had difficulty keeping up with him when Smith ran go routes.
However, Smith had issues with drops while at Georgia. He registered 10 last season, which led all Power 4 conferences. Despite that, Smith finished with 48 catches for 817 yards and four touchdowns in helping the Bulldogs win the SEC and reach the College Football Playoffs before losing to Notre Dame in the Sugar Bowl.
Smith also lacks strength, which hurts his ability to go up and bring down contested catches in the middle of the field. But he feels that his drops are an area that can be improved at the NFL level.
“I feel like any receiver and pass catcher that’s playing on the next level need to work on them catching the ball,” Smith said. “Drops are going to happen, but I need to do a better job of eliminating them, and I need to be more dominant in one-on-ones, and I feel like I am.”
In addition to selecting Smith, the Jets also drafted another SEC player who they hope can improve their secondary. Gang Green traded one of its 2025 fifth-round picks (No. 145) and a 2025 sixth-round pick (No. 207) to move to No. 130 overall to select Alabama safety Malachi Moore.
Safety remains a concern for the Jets, and they acquired a player in Moore who is a ballhawk with excellent instincts to intercept the ball in coverage. He also has the versatility to play deep in coverage, come up to the line of scrimmage, be a solid tackler, and cover receivers in the slot.
During his first four years at Alabama, Moore played the STAR and nickel position under then-coach Nick Saban. However, after speaking with Saban and following Kalen DeBoer taking over as coach in 2024, Moore transitioned into a pure safety role.
Even as a rookie, Moore is a player who should be able to contribute as a nickel/free safety when needed. He also played over 500 special-teams snaps at Alabama and is recognized for his tackling and blocking skills, which will likely earn him a spot on the field as a rookie for the Jets.
During his five seasons at Alabama, Moore registered 214 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, and seven interceptions for the Crimson Tide in five seasons.
“My best attribute is definitely man-to-man [coverage],” Moore said. “Just having that four-year experience at STAR playing in the SEC definitely prepared me to go to safety and cover down in the slot.
“So, I’m definitely comfortable with guarding anybody.”
