Arian Smith WR Georgia | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
Arian Smith WR Georgia
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| ROLE: Outside X-Receiver | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 09/20/2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 40 time: 4.28 seconds (98%*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| ROLE: Outside X-Receiver | |
| Last Updated: 09/20/2024 | |
| Draft Year: 2025 | |
| 40 time: 4.28 seconds (98%*) | |
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| Overall Rating: | 71.9 / 100 | |
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| Average rating of opposition Defense player has faced | ||
| Defense Rating: |
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75% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| QB Rating When targeted: | 101.1 | |
| Hands: |
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35% |
| Short Receiving: |
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57% |
| Intermediate Routes: |
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69% |
| Deep Threat: |
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66% |
| Blocking: |
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54% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
UDFA
Overall Rank:
#378
Position rank:
#48
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| College Games: 42 College Snaps: 949 | ||
ESPN RATING: 86/100
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247 RATING: 97/100
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RIVALS RATING: 5.8 (95%)
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| Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Marquez Stevenson - Houston |
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71% |
| Je'Quan Burton - Florida Atlantic |
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65% |
| Anthony Schwartz - Auburn |
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61% |
Draft Profile: Bio
A speedster with big play potential, Arian Smith enters the NFL draft after five seasons at Georgia. The 6'0", 185-pound wideout from Bradley, Florida was a four-star recruit coming out of Lakeland High School. Smith's career at Georgia was marked by flashes of brilliance interspersed with injuries and inconsistency.Smith's track background is evident on the football field. He won the FHSAA Class 2A state title in the 200 meters in high school and competed in track at Georgia, finishing second in the NCAA outdoor 4x100 meter relay. This world-class speed translated to explosive plays for the Bulldogs, with Smith averaging an eye-popping 27 yards per catch over his college career.
Despite his game-breaking ability, Smith's production was limited. He finished his Georgia career with just 20 receptions for 539 yards and 6 touchdowns over 30 games. His best season came in 2023, when he played in all 14 games and recorded 8 catches for 153 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Made Bruce Feldman's Freak's List - ranked #39. He wrote "The fastest guy on a team full of Freaks, the 6-0, 185-pound redshirt sophomore consistently hit 23 mph on the GPS and was an All-American sprinter for the track team. Smith ran leadoff on the Bulldogs’ school record-setting 4×100-meter relay team that went 39.02 at the SEC championships before it ran 38.54 at the NCAA outdoor meet, where it finished second. Smith’s blazing speed has produced a spectacular 37.6 yards per catch."
- Elite speed and acceleration allow him to take the top off defenses and create separation with ease
- Explosive play potential evident in 27 yards per catch average and multiple long touchdowns
- Versatile athlete with experience as a returner and gunner on special teams
- Shows good body control and adjustment skills on deep balls
- Track background translates to smooth route running and fluid movements in space
- Flashes ability to high-point the ball and make contested catches despite smaller frame
- Willing blocker in the run game with improved effort and technique in senior season
- Leadership qualities and work ethic praised by coaches and teammates
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Super limited production (until 2024) and inconsistent play throughout college career raise concerns about NFL readiness
- Struggles with drops and concentration issues, posting a 27.3% drop rate in 2022
- Lean frame at 185 pounds may struggle against physical NFL corners in press coverage
- Route tree needs expansion beyond deep routes to become a more complete receiver
- Injury history includes multiple setbacks that limited playing time and development
Scouting Report: Summary
As Arian Smith enters his fifth and final season with the Georgia Bulldogs in 2024, he faces a critical juncture in his football career. This upcoming season represents a do-or-die opportunity for Smith to prove he's more than just a one-trick pony in the Bulldogs' offense and elevate his NFL draft stock. With the departures of key receivers like Brock Bowers and Ladd McConkey, Smith has a prime opportunity to step into a more prominent role and showcase a diverse skill set.Smith's elite speed and big-play ability have always made him an intriguing prospect, but now he must demonstrate he can be a complete receiver. The 2024 season will be crucial for Smith to show improved route running across the entire route tree, consistent hands in traffic, and the ability to contribute in the short and intermediate passing game. If he can stay healthy and capitalize on increased playing time, Smith has the potential to transform from a situational deep threat into a well-rounded offensive weapon.
NFL teams will be watching closely to see if Smith can evolve beyond his reputation as solely a vertical threat. His performance in 2024 will likely determine whether he projects as an immediate contributor or a developmental prospect at the next level. For Smith, this season is about proving he can be a reliable, every-down receiver in a pro-style offense, capable of impacting the game in multiple ways. His ability to shed the one-trick pony label and display a complete receiver skill set could significantly boost his draft value and set the stage for a possible pro career.
Written By:
Bill Miller (SEC)
How other scouting services rate Arian Smith (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
548.5
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
74.0
*Percentile Ranking in Player's Position Group (NFL Combine Historical Data): This percentile reflects how a player's specific statistics rank
in comparison to historical performances at the NFL Combine, specifically within their position group. A higher percentile indicates a better performance.
For instance, being in the 90th percentile for a particular stat means the player outperformed 90% of their peers in that category.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.