Jets Rookie WR Draws Pro Bowl Deep-Threat Comp at Camp
FLORHAM PARK -- It was apparent the moment Arian Smith caught his first pass of rookie minicamp for the New York Jets.
The fourth-round pick out of Georgia caught just two passes during his first practice as a member of the Jets, but showed his blazing speed with both receptions. He caught both passes and sped up through the defense by over 10 yards before being touched by the nearest defender.
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Speed kills in the NFL. It's the reason why the Jets took him as high as they did despite clear issues with durability and drops.
There was once another receiver in league history who possessed similar speed to that of Smith, while also being somewhat undersized and dealt with drops early on his career.
Pro Bowl deep threat DeSean Jackson of the Philadelphia Eagles and the Washington Commanders.
Jackson is considered by many to be the greatest deep threat in league history, with more touchdowns from 60 yards out (26) than any other receiver in league history - even more than Hall-of-Famer Jerry Rice.
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While Smith consistently mentioned his goal to be his own player and didn't want to draw comparisons to any former legends, he did acknowledge that Jackson was a player he couldn't help but watch on tape.
"One of my favorite players to catch the ball down the field is (DeSean) Jackson," Smith said. "I feel I can be as good as I want to be. As good as I work to be. If I put the work in, I'm going to be pretty good or good enough."
Smith has made his point abundantly clear at this moment. He's not looking to be the next Jackson. He's looking to the best player he can be.
It is the nature of NFL analysis, though, to draw comparisons to players who match each other in key parts of their game. For Smith and Jackson, it is their blazing speed.
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Jackson may be retired from the game, but it didn't take long for Smith to show he could be the next speed demon in this league moving forward. And that would add a wrinkle to the Jets' offense that they haven't had in years.
Related: Top 3 Takeaways From Glenn's Very 1st Jets Day 1 of Camp
Related: Jets Trade With Eagles Landed 'Steal of the Draft'
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