Jets’ 2025 Draft Class Shows Promise - But Arian Smith's Struggles Stand Out
As the dust settles on Darren Mougey’s first NFL Draft as general manager of the New York Jets, the early returns are a mixed bag - but with more hits than misses. The top of the class is shaping up nicely, with right tackle Armand Membou and tight end Mason Taylor already looking like long-term fixtures in the starting lineup. Add in cornerback Azareye’h Thomas, who’s expected to step into a starting role in 2026, and you’ve got the makings of a strong foundational draft.
But Day 3 of the draft - where teams look for hidden gems and depth pieces - hasn’t been quite as fruitful. Mougey made multiple moves to trade up and add four players late, but only one of them, safety Malachi Moore, appears poised to contribute meaningfully next season. Moore has shown enough to project as either a starter or a high-usage backup heading into 2026.
The rest of the Day 3 group? It's been a tougher road.
Linebacker Kiko Mauigoa has the look of a long-term reserve - a special teams contributor and depth option, but unlikely to push for a starting role. Edge rusher Tyler Baron, meanwhile, has struggled to find his footing at the pro level. His transition to the NFL has been rocky, and so far, he hasn’t shown the traits or production to suggest a breakout is coming.
But the biggest disappointment from that group has been wide receiver Arian Smith - and it’s not particularly close.
A Miss at Wide Receiver?
When the Jets spent the 110th overall pick - an early fourth-rounder - on Smith, it raised some eyebrows. Most projections had him pegged as a late Day 3 flyer: raw, but blazing fast.
His speed was never in question, and he flashed the ability to separate against man coverage. But the finer points of wide receiver play - route running, hands, blocking - were always going to be a work in progress.
Fast forward to the end of the 2025 season, and that progress hasn’t materialized.
Smith has struggled to carve out a role, even in a receiver room that’s been thinned by injuries and inconsistency. Despite Garrett Wilson missing time, Smith has been buried on the depth chart.
Trade additions Adonai Mitchell and John Metchie III have stepped in and made an impact. Isaiah Williams, known more for his return skills and entering the year with just two career receptions, has leapfrogged Smith and earned meaningful reps.
That’s a tough pill to swallow for a player taken early on Day 3 - especially one with Smith’s athletic upside.
Worse yet, Smith’s issues haven’t been limited to performance. He’s struggled with drops, his blocking has been a liability, and he was recently benched for what appears to be a disciplinary matter. All of that adds up to a player who’s not just underperforming - he’s becoming an afterthought.
Mougey, Glenn Showing Willingness to Move On
One thing that’s become clear under Mougey and head coach Aaron Glenn: they’re not afraid to course-correct. We've already seen them make tough calls on players like Xavier Gipson and even staff members like Steve Wilks when things weren’t working out. That same approach may soon apply to Smith.
The Jets took a swing on a high-upside athlete, hoping to develop him into a dynamic weapon. But sometimes, the traits don’t translate. And when a player with elite speed can’t crack the lineup - especially when the team is desperate for playmakers - it’s usually a sign that something’s gone wrong.
Every front office is going to miss on some Day 3 picks. That’s part of the game.
But Smith feels more like a gamble that didn’t pay off - a reach that now looks like a misfire. Unless something changes dramatically in the coming months, his future in New York is very much in doubt.
For Mougey, the 2025 draft still looks like a net positive. But Smith’s struggles are a reminder that even promising classes come with their share of growing pains.