For rookie WR Arian Smith, the goal for his first NFL season is simple.

"Just making plays," Smith said. "Being more consistent with the ball in my hands, and when the ball comes my way, making a play when it's in the air."

The 2025 fourth-round draft pick has flashed his potential throughout the summer, making a series of impressive plays during training camp -- including hauling in a 60-plus yard pass from QB Justin Fields with two-time All-Pro CB Sauce Gardner in coverage.

"He's caught the ball well," wide receivers coach Shawn Jefferson said. "He's made some plays in practice, everything like that. When the rookies come in, there's an acclimation process and everything like that. And he's figuring it out. But what I've seen so far, I like. We've just got to continue on that path."

The Georgia product is no stranger to making big plays in important moments under bright lights, having done so on several occasions in college. And yet, arriving at Lambeau Field in Green Bay for Week 1 of preseason competition was a moment he found hard to put into words.

"My first game -- it definitely felt surreal being out there in an NFL stadium setting," he said.

The 6-0, 179-pound receiver got his first taste of competing at the next level -- playing 51 percent of the team's offensive snaps and recording 2 two catches for 18 yards against Green Bay. He more than doubled his total receiving yards in the Jets' second preseason game, logging 39 yards and hauling in a 23-yard pass during the second quarter. In his preseason finale, Smith took a handoff and exploded up the left sideline for a 10-yard gain and a first down on the team's second possession.

Coming in with a notable reputation as a speedster, the former track and field star has met -- and even exceeded -- expectations.

"I like his speed. Period," OC Tanner Engstrand said. "To, I guess go further on it, he's just done everything that we've asked him to do. He's a smart kid. He's working his butt off. He's taking to the technique, and he's just developing in all those areas. So, we're really excited about where he's at."

This development may be due, in part, to the open-minded approach Smith has every time he steps on the field. The young receiver said his focus is on "trying to be a sponge" and "soak up any little nuggets or tips I can from the older guys and follow in their footsteps."

"Being a rookie, there's a lot of stuff to learn, a lot of stuff to adjust to," Smith said. "But I've been enjoying it -- every second of it. Learning from the older guys and just asking them questions I have. Leaning on them for anything I need."

Smith has sought advice from veterans in the wide receivers room -- including Garrett Wilson, Josh Reynolds, and Tyler Johnson -- and he has also made a point to communicate with Fields regularly. Smith has worked throughout the summer to become a reliable target for No. 7, and HC Aaron Glenn said he has "improved tremendously as far as how to run routes" while also improving his ball skills.

For Smith, though, the biggest shift from college to the pros has been learning how to be a student of the game even when he's not on the field.

"My mental side of things," he said of where he's made the most progress since his arrival. "Here's different than college. College you're getting reps -- you're getting opportunities to mess up or get it right. Here's it's more a mental game. You've got to pay attention to older guys -- when they're getting reps and things they messed up and things they're getting coached on in the meetings. I've just got to make sure I'm taking notes and focused even when they're not talking to me."

Jefferson -- who said it will be important to coach Smith through the inevitable ups and downs of a rookie season -- has taken notice of the growth mindset.

"He's very eager to learn, and he's a pleaser," Jefferson said. "He's very, very selfless. … I just love it. It's just a breath of fresh air to have a young kid like that come in willing to do whatever it takes to help the team."

Smith could see his first NFL regular season action just over a week from now. With the "wow" moment of his first professional football experience now in the rearview mirror, he's ready to get to work during the next big test of his young career.

"I'm excited," Smith said. "We've got a good team coming up. It's going to be one to watch."