Mel Kiper Jr reveals latest NFL Draft evaluation for Jaxon Smith-Njigba following Ohio State Pro Day
ESPN draft expert Mel Kiper Jr shared a new look at the draft stock of Ohio State receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba after a strong pro day workout. According to Kiper, he feels that Smith-Njigba could be the best receiver available in this year’s draft — although he still predicts that he will come off the board with the 20th-overall pick to the Seattle Seahawks.
After his pro day workout on Wednesday however, Kiper believes the star Buckeye could be moving up as high as the 14th pick to the New England Patriots.
Mel Kiper high on Jaxon Smith-Njigba
Kiper spoke on NFL Today about the rising stock of Njigba after Ohio State’s pro day, but began his argument explaining that his initial ranking in his draft predictions was higher before the season began.
“I think [he was] the sixth overall player on the big board back in August… and then he had the hamstring. He had only a handful of catches after having 95 the previous season. Everybody talks about that Utah game in the Rose Bowl, that Utah game where he had 15 catches and the three touchdowns and all that greatness. They’re like ‘oh he was a one-game wonder.’ He’s not.
“He had 11 catches the game against Michigan. He had 15 in another game, 11 in another. Over the last five, six weeks he was uncoverable. Now he did get free releases, they did have [Chris] Olave, they did have Garrett Wilson. I get all that. But his hand-eye coordination is spectacular, he’s silky smooth, he’s deceptively quick and fast. Olave and Wilson raved about this kid. [Pick number] 14 [to] New England, [number] 20 [to] Seattle where I had him mocked to, and Baltimore [at number] 22 is about as far as I think he’ll fall. I think 14 [to] New England is now in play.”
Smith-Njigba is coming off a 2022 season derailed by injury, leading to a below-average stat-sheet on the field compared to what was expected of him after his phenomenal 2021-22 season. With 1,606 yards receiving on 95 receptions, Smith-Njigba set a Big Ten conference record for receiving years in a single season two years ago.
One of the biggest question marks surrounding Smith-Njigba coming into his pro day was his measurable speed — a question he answered in great fashion on Wednesday. Smith-Njigba recorded a 4.48 40-yard dash, well below fellow first-round Ohio State draft picks Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave entering the 2022 NFL Draft.
However, the time posted by Smith-Njigba was right on target for what NFL teams expected from the upcoming rookie — with his other talents being more valuable to the league than raw speed.