Jets wide receiver Arian Smith has been striving for an opportunity. An unfortunate rookie season has the ex-Georgia Bulldog on the outside looking in. The fourth-round pick also faces more competition for targets after New York drafted both Omar Cooper Jr. and tight end Kenyon Sadiq in the first round. While the New York Jets offense should have a more efficient passing game, it will likely happen without Smith providing major contributions.
However, just because he can’t catch passes doesn’t mean he can’t help the team. After having been a lone shining spot last season, head coach Aaron Glenn hopes the special teams unit can still support the team. After entering OTAs with a competition for the kicker position, general manager Darren Mougey recently created another spot up for grabs. On Wednesday, the Jets acquired a 2028 seventh-round pick from the Seattle Seahawks. In exchange, New York traded wide receiver Irvin Charles to complete the transaction. Now, the gunner position is in limbo. This can open a door for Smith to gain playing time.
Jets Wide Receiver Secures Major Vote of Confidence After Recent Trade
In the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, the New York Jets selected wide receiver Arian Smith from the University of Georgia. After being recruited for both football and track and field, Smith played both as a wide receiver while competing in the 100-meter dash from 2020 to 2023. During his senior season in 2024, Smith committed to the Bulldogs football team full-time.
After seeing limited playing time, including Georgia’s back-to-back national championships from 2020 to 2021, Smith led the team in receiving yards with 817 in 2024.Β He also hauled in four touchdowns on 48 catches. However, Smith saw his draft stock dip due to dropped passes. In fact, Smith finished the season leading the nation in dropped passes with ten.
Despite the drops, the team felt Smith’s 4.32 40-yard time would allow him to see the field. Overall, Smith’s rookie season saw little to dive into. He finished the year with seven catches on 16 targets for 52 yards and no touchdowns. While playing 16 games, Jets wide receiver Arian Smith only had five starts and also saw time on special teams. He returned two kicks for 49 yards, including a 31-yard return, along with three total tackles, all solo. While very limited action, the Jets wide receiver is looking for more.
Irvin Charles ‘ trade to the Seahawks creates an opening at Gunner
The Jets special teams is getting a makeover. After veteran starting kicker Nick Folk signed with the Atlanta Falcons, the race is on for special teams coordinator Chris Banjo to find their next kicker. Thus far, it’s a three-man kicker competition featuring veteran Cade York and rookies Will Ferrin and Lenny Krieg. However, there is now another competition he’ll need to oversee. On Wednesday, the Jets traded wide receiver Irvin Charles to the Seattle Seahawks in exchange for a 2028 seventh-round pick. Although Charles isn’t widely recognized, he became a key contributor on special teams.
The Jets wide receiver excelled at being a gunner. As a gunner, Charles was obligated to chase down the opposing team’s returner as the first tackler before they could gain more yards. It’s recognized as the first line of defense on the kicking team. Even if they can’t complete the tackle, they can interfere in the returner’s path just enough to limit the yards they can gain. In this role, Irvin Charles performed very well. Now, his spot is available for the next man up.
What The Jets TRADING Irv Charles Shows Us β¦ They Are HIGH on Arian Smith π pic.twitter.com/Ej0hxKMEkK
— π πππ πππΏππΌπ« (@NYJets_Media) May 27, 2026
Arian Smith could succeed as a Gunner
After selecting both wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. and tight end Kenyon Sadiq, the Jets offense gained two talented receiving threats to join Garrett Wilson, Adonai Mitchell, and Mason Taylor. As a result, Arian Smith is going to have a hard time finding snaps on offense. But after the Irvin Charles trade, the Jets wide receiver now has a chance to see snaps on special teams. It will be an uphill battle. Along with Smith, cornerback Qwan’tez Stiggers will likely compete with Smith for the job.
However, Smith has already caught the team’s attention. In fact, special teams coordinator Chris Banjo publicly vouched for Smith after talking with the media earlier this month. By doing so, he provided Arian Smith with a major vote of confidence. This wouldn’t be the first time the Jets wide receiver tried his hand at special teams. After an injury to Kene Nwangwu, Smith took over kickoff returns in his absence. With Nwangwu and Isiah Williams healthy, the Jets have their primary return specialists.
Arian Smith (top) gunner rep
Nice stem to the outside getting the jammer to open
Then turns on the speed and smacks the PR pic.twitter.com/c9V1bHlrQX
— Joe Blewett (@Joerb31) December 23, 2025
For Arian Smith, the opportunity is there for him to take. With his speed, the Jets wide receiver can quickly meet the opposing returner immediately. The key will be his tackling. At 6’0″ and 179lbs, Smith will need to add some size before training camp to maximize his chances. Compared to Smith, Irvin Charles was much larger than Smith. Charles is listed as 6’4″ and 219lbs.
Jets wide receiver Arian Smith has the chance to turn a rough rookie season into a long-term position. While on the outside looking in on offense, his path in the NFL could be salvaged on special teams. It won’t be easy for him to become the team’s new gunner. But with Irvin Charles gone, it’s up to Smith if he can capitalize on a golden opportunity.
Main Photo: [Gregory Fisher] – Imagn Images
