Jaxon Smith-Njigba 2023 NFL Draft Outlook Hasn't had a chance to show what he can do this past season, but what he showed as a sophomore strongly suggests he's one of the most pro-ready. ", Smith-Njigba feels 100% after injury-marred '22, Jones: Not fixated on Cowboys' drought, just '23, Sources: Raiders plan franchise tag for Jacobs, WR Addison to Steelers' Pickett: 'Come get me', Wolverines' Turner wows with 4.26 40 at combine, Top QB prospect Levis eager to unleash 'cannon', QB Bennett addresses off-field issues at combine, Campbell: Lamar wants deal done with Ravens, Alabama QB Young undeterred by size questions, The most memorable pre-NFL draft workouts ever: Coaches, scouts, execs make their picks, 2023 NFL franchise tag tracker: Raiders tag Josh Jacobs, the NFL's rushing leader, Browns' offense: Grading positions ahead of free agency, 2023 draft, Jaguars won't spend big, but here are five players they could target in free agency. 2005-2023 CBS INTERACTIVE ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. He lined up in the slot over 88% of the time in his dominant 2021 campaign, so that could be his primary role in the pros, but he's also capable of winning one-on-ones against corners in man or zone. He also lacks breakaway long speed and can be run down in open field by plus athletes. Pro Football Network strives to passionately deliver purposeful, captivating, and exceptional football content. He can create in minimal space with the best of them. Latest on Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba including news, stats, videos, highlights and more on ESPN NFL draft questions for teams in the top 10: Will the Colts trade up? NFL and the NFL shield design are registered trademarks of the National Football League.The team names, logos and uniform designs are registered trademarks of the teams indicated. 11 overall to New Orleans), Broke 20-year-old Big Ten receiving yards record (1,545 yards in 2001 by Lee Evan, Wisconsin) with his 1,606 receiving yards in 2021, 95 receptions rank fifth-most in Big Ten history, Set Rose Bowl records with 347 receiving yards and 15 receptions with three touchdowns and was named offensive most valuable player, 2021: Rose Bowl game MVP; Third-team All-American (Associated Press), Named the Texas 6A State Player of the Year - No. NFL teams had hoped to see Smith-Njigba run the 40 in Indianapolis to compare him against the rest of the top wide receivers in 2023. Before suffering an ACL tear last season, Smith-Njigba proved himself one of the most dynamic players in the country in his time in Columbus. Being able to create and react to the defender is the strong point in my game, and taking advantage of that. But at the very least, he passes the desired threshold for an NFL starter. MORE:Updated NFL Draft big board of top 125 players overall, position rankings. Former OSU teammate Garrett Wilson the No. Coming to the team, it was assumed he would have to wait his time sitting behind a loaded receiving core for the Buckeyes. See our list of forfeits and vacated games for more details. Stroud has a message for those who question whether Fields can excel as a passer and not just a runner. Receiving. Tracks the deep ball over either shoulder and brings in passes fluidly without breaking stride downfield. One wide receiver many Chicago Bears fans have on their radar heading into the 2023 draft is former Ohio State Buckeyes standout Jaxon Smith-Njigba. The sophomore quarterback completed 17 of 22 passes for 214 yards and two touchdowns, in addition to rushing for 92 yards and one touchdown on 11 carries. Jaxon Smith-Njigba's NFL Combine profile. Find out more. Jaxon Smith-Njigba 2022 stats* 2021 stats REC 95 YDS 1606 TDS 9 *Updated through Nov. 5, 2022 2022 season updates Nov. 2 A hamstring injury has robbed Smith-Njigba of almost his. It was also the Buckeyes' first game against the Utes since 1986. Smith-Njigba is a bit of an enigma athletically. He's not going to blow by any defensive backs with his speed, and he's not going to participate in 40-yard dash drills at the combine, so he won't be able to change the narrative that he's a tad slower than some other standouts at WR in this class. As a senior, he caught 104 passes for 2,094 yards and 35 scores. College Football at Sports-Reference.com Blog and Articles. by Matthew Jones. And as a true sophomore in 2021, Smith-Njigba led a talented Buckeyes receiving corps in both receptions and receiving yards with 95 catches for 1,606 yards and nine scores. Rice is 6-0 200, Flowers is 5-9 180. It's impossible to predict where he could go in the upcoming draft, though. Hes tough in the middle of the defense and has proven he can make catches in congestion. There is no doubt C.J. - He tracks the ball well on long throws and is capable of being a deep threat. height 6' 0" college Ohio State drafted . Buckeyes' Smith-Njigba, Williams back vs. Iowa, Ohio State rules out Smith-Njigba, Williams. The next great one Omg @jaxon_smith1 stop it # . In 44 high school games, Smith-Njigba racked up 5,346 receiving yards and 82 touchdowns. Hes tough in the middle of the defense and has proven he can make catches in congestion. Smith-Njigba grew up in Rockwall, Texas, and attended Rockwall High School. Ohio State WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba has been widely recognized as one of the top wide receiver prospects in the upcoming draft class after his breakout season in 2021 that saw him outpace two future . This is me Follow. He has very fluid hips. Use without license or authorization is expressly prohibited. Ohio State sophomore wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba is earning high praise from coaches and teammates alike this preseason, and is preparing for an increased role in the offense. The Player the Ravens Should Be Watching at the . Smith-Njigba struggles with injury after first catch (0:19) Jaxon Smith-Njigba takes a big hit on his first catch and doesn't come back in the game until late in the second quarter. [2] As a senior, he caught 104 passes for 2,094 yards and 35 touchdowns and was named the recipient of both the Landry Award and the Texas Gatorade Football Player of the Year award. [5][6] Smith-Njigba finished his high school career with 5,346 career receiving yards and 82 touchdowns in 44 games played. Let's find out. In 44 high school games, Smith-Njigba racked up 5,346 receiving yards and 82 touchdowns. What makes Smith-Njigbas game particularly appealing is that his mode of success is very translatable to the next level. Stroud, Ohio State (2021)
41 - Justin Fields, Ohio State (2019)
39 - Drew Brees, Purdue (1998) , Jaxon Smith-Njigba finished the Rose Bowl with 347 Rec yds, a new bowl record and the 5th most in a game in FBS history.
The Buckeyes prevail in a thriller, 48-45 over No. If production was the only factor, then hed have that title locked down. You can check them all out in our, How to Prepare for Your Dynasty Rookie Draft, Dynasty Rookie Draft Pick Trade Strategy & Advice, Fantasy Football Draft Values to Target: Tight Ends (2023), Dynasty Trade Advice: Trade Jamaal Williams (2023 Fantasy Football), Fantasy Football Draft Sleepers: Jake Ferguson (2023), 2023 NFL Free Agent Predictions: Aaron Rodgers & Jimmy Garoppolo (Fantasy Football), 2023 NFL Free Agent Running Backs: Devin Singletary (Fantasy Football), Fantasy Football Draft Quarterback Breakouts (2023), No, I'm a California resident looking for the California Consumer Privacy Act form, Limited to three games played in 2022 due to a hamstring injury. Jaxon Smith-Njigba (/ndb/ in-JIG-b; born February 14, 2002), also known by his initials JSN, is an American football wide receiver for the Ohio State Buckeyes. Stats: 2021 (251 FBS WRs, minimum 50 targets) Yards per route run: 1st; PFF receiving grade: 1st; Career Breakout age: 75th percentile (19.6) I don't think he'll be limited to just a slot receiver in the NFL. One wide receiver many Chicago Bears fans have on their radar heading into the 2023 draft is former Ohio State Buckeyes standout Jaxon Smith-Njigba. He has good acceleration off the line and can use fast feet to gain speed as he heads upfield. Smith-Njigba dominated during his high school career and had over 5,300 receiving yards and 63 receiving touchdowns, with little of that production coming in his freshmen season. And now, with Wilson and Olave gone, the spotlight is on him alone. He holds the FBS Bowl Game and Ohio State single game record for most receiving yards with 347 in the 2022 Rose Bowl. As a blocker, Smith-Njigba is an energetic and high-effort player. Neither Wilson nor Olave was an overwhelming size threat. Copyright 2023 Sporting News Holdings Limited. Hes able to secure catches with defenders in his wheelhouse, and hes comfortable with very little space. Ohio State star wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who has been limited to parts of two games this season because of a hamstring injury, returned Saturday to start in the Buckeyes' 54-10 blowout of . He also uses route angles and sudden movements at stems to generate displacement. And when the ball comes his way, Smith-Njigba has rare instincts and excellent hands. / 2023 2024 BYE WEEK. His route running is superior to most wideouts in this draft class. Pro Football Network, LLC. 6'1" 190 lbs Senior. The SPORTS REFERENCE and STATHEAD trademarks are owned exclusively by Sports Reference LLC. But as a 2023 NFL Draft prospect, is Smith-Njigbas scouting report stronger than his predecessors? Rockwall High School Rockwall TX. Fellow Buckeye Jaxon Smith-Njigba most likely won't be a top five pick but he believes he's that type of talent. With those hips, he can expertly manipulate short ranges, as well as use abrupt lateral movements to disrupt tackling angles. The vitals on Jaxon Smith-Njigba School: Ohio State Position: Wide receiver Height: 6-1 Weight: 200 pounds Years active: 2020-2022 Here are Jaxon Smith-Njigba's career stats in. Ohio State wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba had a bold message at the 2023 NFL Draft Combine, wrote the Athletic Chicago Bears beat writer Kevin Fishbain wrote in a Thursday tweet. Like other Ohio State WRs before him, Smith-Njigba isnt an overwhelming size threat. Smith-Njigba will need to fine-tune his route running to give himself his best chance to succeed at the next level. Smith-Njigbas snap at the top of his stem is excellent, which allows him to create easy separation. Hes more quick than fast. Menu Shop Menu Standings Menu Stats Menu Super Bowl Menu Teams Menu Tickets Menu More . A hamstring injury limited him to three games in 2022, though. Any team investing high draft capital in him knows what they are getting: a high-volume wide receiver that can work both inside and on the perimeter. And judging by the way those around the league view the 21-year old, it seems Smith-Njigba will have every chance to prove his worth at the next level. "I see myself as a top-five player, not just a receiver. Stroud throw for 573. He was a five-star recruit from Rockwall (Texas) High School. He was replaced by freshman quarterback Bryson Barnes. - Other than his standout sophomore season, Smith-Njigba hasn't done much. Smith-Njigbas movement style helps compound his separation ability, but hes already very proficient at using his traits effectively. Every dynasty GM knows there is no offseason. Can he make the most of it and command first-round capital like they did? He. I doubt it matters what anyone thinks of Smith-Njigba because he likely won't be available at 25. Still, a first-round selection is a pretty good consolation prize. Question, Comment, Feedback, or Correction? The hamstring injury occurred early in Ohio State's season opener against Notre Dame, and Smith-Njigba went on to play in parts of two more games, finishing the season with five receptions for 43 yards while running a total of 42 receiving routes. Jersey Pos #11 WR . 2 wideout in the class, behind Zay Flowers (Boston College), while Todd McShay has him at No. But after a frustrating junior year, Smith-Njigba intends to show that he is the best receiver in this year's draft. As a prospect, he rated as the 29th overall prospect. He set a Big Ten single-season record with 1,606 . It did not take long for Smith-Njigba to support those remarks. He can contort in stride and corral tough passes with ease. Smith-Njigba showed some star potential in college, especially during the 2021 season in which he finished with 95 catches for 1,606 yards and nine touchdowns. Smith-Njigba could be an immediate target hog in the NFL. Jaxon is as good as Ive ever seen, probably the best Ive ever seen. 3 Jordan Addison - USC. Smith-Njigba turned down offers from multiple in-state schools and decided to take his talents to Columbus. After the departure of Davante Adams and Marquez Valdes-Scantling during the 2022 off-season, many thought that a wide receiver would be on their mind in the first round of the 2022 NFL draft. I just don't really care about his 40 time. While hes not an elite explosive threat, Smith-Njigbas cylindrical twitch is high-level, and he uses that trait to get DBs off-balance. Smith-Njigba played minimally with Bears quarterback Justin Fields at Ohio State in 2020, catching 10 passes for 49 yards and a touchdown that year, but it was his sophomore campaign in 2021 that put him on the map nationally. All other NFL-related trademarks are trademarks of the National Football League. Rising had a difficult second half, and things got even worse when he was sacked by Ohio State's Kourt Williams II and had to be taken out of the game in the fourth quarter. - He already has a rapport with Fields. 11 Utah and No. Seeing him against press coverage in 2021 will be key, but he projects well there. Smith-Njigba has 326 yards receiving, which is the most in any bowl game in college football history. Going further, Smith-Njigba has enough explosiveness to get out into space and escape congestion after taking short passes. "Why Rockwall WR, Ohio State pledge Jaxon Smith-Njigba's impressive showing at The Opening almost didn't", "Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Riley Dodge win 2019 Tom Landry Awards", "Rockwall wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba named Gatorade Texas football player of the year", "Jaxon Smith-Njigba Named to SI All-American Team", "Ohio State commit Jaxon Smith-Njigba honored as a 2020 All-American", "Jaxon Smith-Njigba poised to become Ohio State's next star at receiver", "Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Ohio State Buckeyes, Wide Receiver", "Four-Star Wide Receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba Commits To Ohio State", "Former Rockwall star Jaxon Smith-Njigba ready to take on larger role in Ohio State's offense", "Is Jaxon Smith-Njigba headed for breakout game in Ohio State football's season opener against Minnesota? [16] Smith-Njigba's older brother, Canaan Smith-Njigba, plays for the Pittsburgh Pirates of Major League Baseball (MLB).[17]. It should also be noted that the Buckeyes were without a whopping 24 players against Utah for various reasons, which makes their performance even more impressive. Smith-Njigba entered Ohio State in 2020 with a ton of pedigree. I wouldn't take a big jump, but I'd move up a couple picks to nab him if he's still there late in Round 1. - His route running is superior to most wideouts in this draft class. A former five-star recruit, Smith-Njigba has dominated everywhere hes been. Jaxon Smith-Njigba now has the most receiving yards (231) in , It's a new Buckeye record for Jaxon Smith-Njigba.
He has 288 Rec yds (and counting), the most in a game in program history, and he's closing in on the all-time Bowl Game record (308 by Jason Rivers in 2006).
No. Smith-Njigba caught 15 passes for 347 yards and three touchdowns. Smith-Njigba is undergoing medical testing at the combine, with coaches and front-office executives monitoring the results on the hamstring injury that limited him in 2022. When Ohio State wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, a likely first round selection in the 2023 NFL Draft, was asked what stood out about his formal interview with the Green and Gold, he said the team's desire to add playmaking to their passing game. Three trades in a chaotic top five, Kiper's Round 1 NFL mock draft: Where four quarterbacks land in the top 10 picks, OSU's Smith-Njigba headed to draft, out for CFP, Ohio State gets RB Williams back vs. Michigan, Buckeyes' Smith-Njigba (hamstring) out again, Buckeyes' Smith-Njigba may be on snap count. When Ohio State wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, a likely first round selection in the 2023 NFL Draft, was asked what stood out about his formal interview with the Green and Gold, he said the . With 15 catches for 347 yards Saturday, Jaxon Smith-Njigba became Ohio State's single-season record holder in receptions (95) and yards (1,606). Watch our How-To Videos to Become a Stathead, Subscribe to Stathead and get access to more data than you can imagine. The Case for Anthony Richardson To Be the No. Does a nice job locating and tracking deep passes and is a legitimate vertical threat. Ohio State WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba to miss Peach Bowl, enter 2023 NFL Draft Smith-Njigba had five receptions for 43 yards this season. The following browsers are supported: Chrome, Edge (v80 and later), Firefox and Safari. Ohio State WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba In the 2022 Rose Bowl that was played at the end of the 2021 college football season between No. He flashes the ability to stack corners on verticals from the slot easily. NBC4 WCMH-TV Video 81-year-old gearing up for the Arnold 5k Pump . He missed all but three games of the 2022 season because of a hamstring injury. Another component that helps Smith-Njigba, however, is his agility and ease of motion. NBA Stats. The browser you are using is no longer supported on this site. Smith-Njigba (hamstring) said he's 100 percent healthy, according to ESPN's Turron Davenport. He carries acceleration through transitions with great hip sink but also presses upfield at stems and actively employs deception. It is impossible to ignore his monster finish to the 2021 season, and he has starting slot potential, but the speed concerns coupled with an injury-plagued 2022 season threaten to negatively impact his draft stock.". Smith-Njigba, who is listed at 6-foot, 240 pounds, is considered the Pirates' 27th-best prospect according to MLB Pipeline. Hes a fairly easy accelerator who generates solid initial momentum and can freely throttle up and down. NFL Network's Tom Pelissero: Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba will do every test except 40-yard dash at 2023 NFL Scouting Combine. Still, he had earned more than a few admirers, interviewer after interviewer peppering him with questions. Stroud and Smith-Njigba are cooking . People will knock him for his long speed BUT thats not how he wins. [12] Later that season, he set both an Ohio State single game and FBS Bowl record for receiving yards with 347 in Ohio State's win in the 2022 Rose Bowl. He capped his 2021 campaign with a ridiculous performance in the Rose Bowl against Utah, catching 15 passes for 347 yards and three touchdowns through the air, setting a new record for receiving yards in the legendary bowl game. Emeka Egbuka, another freshman receiver, also had a nice outing with three catches for 46 yards. STROUD 50-YARD TD TO JAXON SMITH-NJIGBA . "I just think my playmaking ability is second to none in this draft," he said. That may give some teams understandable pause. All logos are the trademark & property of their owners and not Sports Reference LLC.
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