Mel Kiper Jr. 'still believes' in Jaxon Smith-Njigba

Coming into the 2022 season, Ohio State wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba was considered one of the best wide receivers in college football and thought of as one of the best 2023 NFL Draft prospects. However, injuries derailed his season and changed some of the perception around him

Still, ESPN NFL Draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. believes in Jaxon Smith-Njigba at the next level, as he explained on the First Draft podcast.

“It’s gonna be fun to see how this plays out because I still believe in Jaxon Smith-Njigba,” Mel Kiper said.

“I don’t think you hold a year where he had a hamstring and didn’t produce because of it, wasn’t even on the field to produce. So, the hamstring was there. End of the year, still bothering him, and you can’t risk that.”

Jaxon Smith-Njigba only played in three games, suffering a hamstring injury in week 1 against Notre Dame. Because of that, he only had five catches on the season. That’s a far cry from his 2021 season, when he had 95 catches for 1,606 yards and nine touchdowns.

“You think about Jaxson Smith-Njigba, the great year he had in 2021. What a year he had. I mean, he was awesome. This kid showed as a slot guy he could be phenomenal,” Kiper continued.

“And, now, what do you do? How far does he fall in the first round? Where does he end up? Okay.”

Mel Kiper believes in Will Levis

Despite quarterbacks like Bryce Young and CJ Stroud having more success at the college level, Mel Kiper remains convinced that Will Levis of Kentucky is the NFL Draft’s best quarterback.

“Will Levis was banged up all year at Kentucky. Just about all year with a foot, ankle, shoulder. All those issues. [Plus] an offensive line that was horrific, a running back that wasn’t there the first four games, and a receiving corps that lost Wan’Dale Robinson to the NFL,” Kiper said.

“I think this is what’s gonna happen. The old guard, which I’m part of, is [gonna lean] Will Levis. I’ve said that from back in September. I’m [with] Will Levis. The analytics, the young guys, and all that are gonna be on Bryce Young. So I’m just gonna wait. I’m waiting this out. There’s no rush to judgment here from me.”