New York Jets Draft Profile: Texas A&M Receiver New Slot Weapon?

The New York Jets could look to Texas A&M slot receiver Ainias Smith to find some pass-catching help for the upcoming NFL Season.

As rumors continue to swirl surrounding their intentions for the No. 10 overall selection in the NFLDraft, the New York Jets, the Jets may look to the mid-rounds to secure some much-needed assistance for quarterback Aaron Rodgers. 

Whether they remain committed to their top-10 selection, or move on from the pick, one name they may be smart to consider is Texas A&M slot receiver Ainias Smith. 

At 5-9, 190-pounds, Smith projects as a shifty, yet quick playmaker out of the slot.  Throughout his tenure with the Aggies, he has been a consistent route-runner who has demonstrated an ability to separate from his defender. Last season, Smith logged 53 catches for 795 yards and two touchdowns, after missing most of 2022 while recovering from a fractured leg. Still, the Missouri City, Texas native showed enough potential in his first two seasons to compensate for his lost time  — having amassed greater than 500 receiving yards on 40-plus catches and six touchdowns in both 2020 and 2021. 

Nov 11, 2023; College Station, Texas, USA; Texas A&M Aggies wide receiver Ainias Smith (0)

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Considered a likely Day 2 selection — either in the draft’s third or fourth rounds — the Jets may consider picking Smith with their third-rounder (No. 72) overall, or move up a bit in the fourth, a round in which they currently hold the No. 111 and 134 choices, respectively. 

In the wake of Rodgers’ season-ending torn Achilles in Week 1 last season, New York’s pass-catchers struggled due to poor quarterback play and ineffective talent management. In fact, Pro Football Focus ranked them 31 of 32 NFL teams. The exception to the rule, star receiver Garrett Wilson, caught 95 passes for 1,042 yards and three touchdowns.

In hopes of reversing their 2023 fortune, the Jets signed former Los Angeles Chargers wideout Mike Williams. However, their cupboard at the position is a bit bare beyond their top two options. New York failed to receive notable contributions from the remaining components of their positional depth chart — most notably Allen Lazard, who despite signing a four-year, $44 million deal with New York last offseason, logged only 23 catches for 311 yards and one touchdown.

In addition to Wilson, Williams and Lazard — who is reportedly on the trade block — the Jets currently employ Xavier Gipson, Jason Brownlee, Irvin Charles, Lance McCutcheon and Malik Taylor on their depth chart.