Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Ohio State: 2023 NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report

• Led Ohio state in receptions and yardage in 2021 despite playing officially as the third receiver behind Olave and Garret Wilson
• Smooth hips with outstanding agility who is equally adept at moving laterally as vertically
• Has outstanding soft hands demonstrated by his impressive 141.8 QB rating when targetted in 2021
• Often used on deep routes, getting separation down the sideline or over the middle on crossing routes by extending his arms rather than pure speed.
• Does a nice job locating and tracking deep passes and is a legitimate vertical threat. Willing to go up and attack the ball.
• Has the strong hands any NFL wide receiver coach and quarterback would covet. Tracks the deep ball over either shoulder and brings in passes fluidly without breaking stride downfield.
• Has a knack for getting open and is a quarterback’s best friend – passers just need to toss the ball in his area and he’ll come down with it.
• Has excellent straight-line speed and takes advantage of open seams when his quarterback is on target.
• Good effort and technique as a blocker for his size. Can beat the press with elusiveness or physical contact. Runs elite crisp routes with sharp cuts.
• Has good body strength to squirm out of tackles with the coordination to maneuver his frame between defenders.
• Has a nice combination of speed and size and explosive acceleration

Weaknesses:

• Has good but not great speed and doesn’t possess elite athletic skills
• Has missed a major chunk of his junior year – will have to demonstrate this is the exception rather than the rule for him
• Has had a few more drops than you would hope for in a top wideout – mostly due to occasional lapses of concentration rather than anything more intrinsic
• Spent most of his college career playing in the slot – so it remains to be seen how he will stand up as an outside threat

Jaxon Smith-Njigba Mock Drafts:

• NFL Mocks: #23 Overall to the New York Giants
•  Draft Countdown: #12 Overall to the Houston Texans
• CBS Sports: #16 Overall to the Green Bay Packers
• Dawg Pound Daily: #28 Overall to the Dallas Cowboys
• Fantasy Six Pack: #25 Overall to the Baltimore Ravens
• Sports Illustrated: #15 Overall to the New England Patriots

Would The Packers Be Interested In Jaxon Smith-Njigba?

When will the day come that Green Bay drafts a wide receiver in the first round?  Honestly, it might never happen with the current management.  However, that is because the Packers (past and present) have found success drafting wide receivers in later rounds.  For example, Christian Watson (2022), Davante Adams (2014), Randall Cobb (2011),  Jordy Nelson (2008), Greg Jennings (2006), were all drafted in the second round.  Romeo Doubs (2022) was drafted in the fourth round.

If Green Bay is on the board and Smith-Njigba is still available I think it is very safe to say they will at least consider it.  He is a special talent that is a projected first round pick for a reason.  Even after missing most of 2022 due to injury (hamstring).  Adding more weapons for Aaron Rodgers in his later years is exactly what it takes to keep #12 around as long as possible.  At the same time, Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs, and Allen Lazard have proven to be an effective group for Rodgers.  Free agency could play a large impact in Green Bay’s first round choice.