During training camp practice on Friday, the Jets' rookie wide receiver Arian Smith made an explosive play.
QB Justin Fields fired a 60-plus yard pass downfield, and Smith made an over-the-shoulder grab with CB Sauce Gardner nearby. Though Fields likely would have been sacked on a blitz before the ball had a chance to make its way to Smith, the catch undoubtedly showed the speedster's potential.
To an outside observer, it may have looked like an impressive play by a rookie trying to make his presence known. After all, hauling in a deep pass with a two-time All-Pro cornerback nearby is no small feat. But for Smith, it was nothing more than an ordinary day at work.
"That is what I'm supposed to do," Smith said. "I don't look at it as a big play, I feel like that's my job. That's what I'm supposed to do, and whenever they call me to do it, I'm supposed to make it happen. So, I just go out there and do anything I can to help the team. If they need another one, I'm going to go out there and try to do my best to get another one."
Smith did get another one -- during a situational period later in practice. The Jets' offense trailed by 6 points and faced a third-and-10 at the plus-17 yard-line with 24 seconds on the clock. It only took one play for the offense to take the lead, with Smith beating rookie CB Azareye'h Thomas off the line and hauling in a pass from QB Tyrod Taylorjets- for a touchdown.
"I thought Arian did a great job of making plays, especially explosive plays down the field," said HC Aaron Glenn, who also praised Smith's ability to catch balls in traffic"
Speed has always been a key part of Smith's game. The 2025 fourth-round draft pick is a former track athlete and high school state champion in Florida, and he anchored the U.S. 4x100 relay team to a World Under-20 record in 2019. He even competed in collegiate track and field for a season at Georgia before giving up the sport to shift his focus to football.
At the 2025 NFL Combine, Smith ran a 4.36 in the 40-yard dash, which was the fifth-fastest time among wideouts.
"I was young," Smith said of when he first understood his speed. "I didn't realize until I was like 16 when I ran in the Junior Olympics, and that's when I really knew I was fast. It hit me then."
While speed is something that has always come naturally to the rookie, he has been more intentional when it comes to improving his ball skills. From getting in extra catches after practice to wearing strobe goggles for circuits, Smith said he has already seen the extra work paying off.
"I feel like I'm not thinking a lot when the ball is coming my way, I'm just catching," he said. "I'm for sure feeling better and more confident."
While he has flashed his potential to be a receiving threat, Smith has also shown his ability to add value on special teams. He will keep "an open mind and do whatever they tell me to do" as he looks to carve out his role.
Smith could see his first NFL game action on Saturday when the Jets take on the Packers in Green Bay in their preseason opener. And while the recent college graduate is used to playing on Saturdays, he knows this will be a different experience. But even with the bright lights and famous stadium, it will be just another day of work for No. 82.
"It's going to be surreal," Smith said. "I'm not going to look in the stands all googly eyed. I'm trying to stay focused and do my same routine that I do every game. So, nothing has changed. I have to do the same thing out there that I do on Saturday."
