If you enjoy draft-night intrigue, look at the wide receivers. There’s a lot of talent and there’s an element of mystery. On one hand, Ohio State’s Jaxon Smith-Njigba has emerged as the betting favorite to be the first wide receiver selected. On the other hand, NBC Sports’ Peter King reported that there isn’t a clear-cut consensus among NFL teams.
No matter what you believe, the most interesting wideout is Smith-Njigba. Two years ago, he was the top wide receiver on a team that also featured future first-round picks Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave. He set school records with 95 catches for 1,606 receiving yards, and he set the Big Ten receiving yards mark. If he hadn’t suffered an injury-plagued season that limited him to three games (5 catches for 43 yards), who knows what kind of numbers he might have put up in 2022.
Still, despite the setbacks and unwarranted criticism from ESPN’s Todd McShay over Smith-Njigba’s decision to prepare for the pros rather than play in the College Football Playoff, some team is likely to pick him high next Thursday night. Sharp Football Analysis ranks Smith-Njigba as the second-best offensive player in the draft, behind only his college teammate quarterback C.J. Stroud.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba has a case for the 1st WR off the board.
— Doug Clawson (@doug_clawson) April 12, 2023
He set Ohio St records for catches (95) and rec yards (1,606) in 2021, despite playing w/ Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave.
They were the only rookies with 1,000 receiving yards last season. pic.twitter.com/Gj943zCUzs
How good can Smith-Njigba be? So much of NFL success is dependent on the organization that drafts you. There are many variables, including teammates, system, and coaching. It’s not just about talent.
“I think he’s a pure slot receiver,” NFL Network analyst Daniel Jeremiah told The Comeback. “I know he’s adamant about wanting to do more than that. But I love him in the slot, and I think that’s where he’ll be a real high-volume guy. I could see him catching a ton of balls. Get him in the right system, the right quarterback, he could be a real security blanket working in the middle of the field.”
Smith-Njigba has a high standard to live up to. His former Ohio State teammates Wilson and Olave finished first and fourth, respectively in the Offensive Rookie of the Year voting. They both thrived despite subpar quarterbacks. Having Smith-Njigba do the same with poor quartergack play in his rookie season seems unlikely and unfair. Plus, it’s hard to judge what kind of early impact he can have after last year’s hamstrings issues.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba gives Ohio State the lead with this touchdown catch!
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) January 2, 2022
He has 13 receptions for 326 yards and 3 touchdowns. 🔥🔥🔥🔥
CJ Stroud has thrown for 543 yards and 6 touchdowns. 🔥🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/GpMgBqYXXi
Let’s say for argument’s sake, that he’s 100-percent healthy (He ran a 4.48 in the 40-yard dash at Ohio State’s pro day last month). Where is he the best fit? One possibility might be Smith-Njigba reuniting with his college quarterback.
If the Houston Texans take Stroud second overall, they might also pick Smith-Njigba at No. 12. That could ease the transition to the NFL for both, and we’ve seen college duos recapture the magic in the pros (Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase). The Green Bay Packers are in transition, and Smith-Njigba at No. 15 might help the development of Jordan Love. What about the Seattle Seahawks, who have two first-round picks and can afford to add firepower with Smith-Njigba?
There are no can’t-miss receivers in this draft. Sometimes the adjustment to the NFL can be difficult because defensive coverages are tighter, the game is more physical, and defenses are a lot faster. The 6-foot Smith-Njigba doesn’t have great size, but he’s the same height as Wilson and Olave. He also doesn’t seem to have breakaway speed.
Of course, that doesn’t mean that he can’t be an elite player. Wherever he goes, it will be up to the coaching staff to maximize his skills. The right fit can make a big difference, and Smith-Njigba could make some general manager look really smart.
