Who Should I Start? Bub Means or Arian Smith

Thursday, February 6, 5:50 PM

New Orleans Saints wide receiver Bub Means (ankle) said that he was cleared from his ankle injury in late January and is back to full speed as he prepares for his sophomore season in 2025. Means suffered a high-ankle sprain in Week 8 and then had a setback that cost him the final nine games in the second half. The 24-year-old fifth-round pick (170th overall) caught nine of his 15 targets for 118 yards (13.1 yards per reception) and one touchdown in his seven games played (one start) in his first year in the NFL for the Saints. The Pittsburgh product emerged as an intriguing downfield threat for New Orleans in his rookie season and won't be hindered by his ankle this offseason as he prepares for what will hopefully be a bigger role in 2025. Means will most likely be a boom/bust receiver for fantasy purposes for a Saints team that still hasn't settled on a new head coach.

Thursday, May 8, 8:14 AM

The New York Jets will get rookie wide receiver Arian Smith involved in "smoke routes and jet sweeps to utilize his speed early and ease him into the offense," according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. Smith had an issue with drops at the University of Georgia, but his speed and playmaking ability are undeniable. During his senior season, he caught 48 passes for 817 yards and four touchdowns. The Jets' wide receiver depth chart is difficult to project at the moment, but the door remains open for Smith to surpass Malachi Corley and Tyler Johnson for the No. 4 receiver role to open the season. His role could grow even further if the Jets decide to trade wide receiver Allen Lazard to the Pittsburgh Steelers, which has been rumored as a possibility if Aaron Rodgers decides to don the black and gold.