Jets' draft pick WR Arian Smith has one huge issue: 'Hands'

Billy Heyen

Jets' draft pick WR Arian Smith has one huge issue: 'Hands' image

The New York Jets just drafted a wide receiver with one huge issue: "Hands."

That's what ESPN's Matt Miller said of the Arian Smith selection out of Georgia early in Saturday's fourth round.

Mel Kiper Jr. went a step further.

"When the ball is thrown his way, is he going to catch it?" Kiper said the big question is.

Smith's physical traits are what makes him an NFL Draft pick.

He ran a 4.36-second 40-yard dash, which ESPN's Louis Riddick said was actually slower than he thought he would go at the NFL Combine.

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The 6-foot tall Smith spent five seasons at Georgia.

In each of the first four seasons, he didn't tally even double-digit receptions.

But in 2024, he had 48 catches for 817 yards and five scores.

That's a 17.0 yards per catch rate for Smith.

The Jets will be hoping he can continue to take the top off of defenses in the NFL.

And when he gets open deep, New York hopes he can figure out how to catch the ball.

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Billy Heyen

Billy Heyen is a freelance writer with The Sporting News. He is a 2019 graduate of Syracuse University who has written about many sports and fantasy sports for The Sporting News. Sports reporting work has also appeared in a number of newspapers, including the Sandusky Register and Rochester Democrat & Chronicle