Mel Kiper highlights two Ohio State players that improved draft stock at 2023 NFL Combine

ESPN’s Mel Kiper highlighted Jaxon Smith-Njigba and C.J. Stroud as two Ohio State players who improved their draft stock at the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine.

Smith-Njigba had the bigger questions due to his lack of playing time. He missed virtually the entire 2022 season with a hamstring injury after he broke out in the Rose Bowl in January 2022.

Kiper detailed Smith-Njigba’s combine performance and what it did to his draft stock.

“This selection isn’t so much about a player rising as it is entrenching his position,” Kiper wrote. “There were a lot of questions about Smith-Njigba heading into the week because he is coming off a totally lost season due to a hamstring injury. We saw him dominate in 2021, but he ran just 42 total routes all of last season. Would he show that he’s a lock to be a first-round pick?

“The answer is a definitive yes, even though he’s waiting to run the 40-yard dash until his pro day later this month. Smith-Njigba led all receivers in Indianapolis with a 6.57-second 3-cone time and a 3.93-second short shuttle. Those are quick numbers. That explosiveness is all over his 2021 tape. Plus, he was effortless in the receiving drills, snatching the ball out of the air and being silky smooth out of his breaks. Smith-Njigba is going in Round 1 in April, potentially in the top 15.”

Kiper also detailed how Stroud’s performance boosted his stock in the ever-changing quarterback class

“I’m going to add Stroud here because he was that good in his on-field throwing session,” Kiper wrote. “He was businesslike in his approach, looking smooth and fluid with every pass. He threw with pace and accuracy on every single ball. He didn’t do athletic testing, opting to do those at his pro day later this month, but he was excellent.

“Stroud doesn’t have Anthony Richardson’s elite physical traits, but at 6-foot-3, 214 pounds, he has everything else NFL teams want in a starting quarterback. He’s in the discussion to be the No. 1 overall pick, and I don’t think he’ll make it out of the top five.”

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The 2023 NFL Draft is set to take place from Thursday, April 27 through Saturday, April 29 in Kansas City, Missouri. The event is located at the plaza just outside of Union Station.

Round 1 of the NFL Draft will begin 8 p.m. ET on Thursday, Apr. 27. Rounds 2-3 will begin at 7 p.m. ET on Friday, Apr. 28, and Rounds 4-7 will begin at 12 p.m. ET on Saturday, Apr. 29. The draft is broadcasted throughout the weekend on both ESPN and NFL Network.