NFL Draft prospect profile: Jaxon Smith-Njigba

College Career

Junior receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba played his college ball at Ohio State for the Buckeyes. As a junior, Smith-Njigba played only 3 games due to a hamstring injury which left him playing only one true impactful season.

Smith-Njigba has good size, standing at 6’ 1” and weighing 196 lbs. Smith-Njigba decided not to run the 40 yard dash at the NFL combine but ran it at his college pro day where he ran a 4.53.

Smith-Njigba averaged 192 receiving yards per game in the last five games of the 2021 season as a sophomore. He showed great production against zone coverage and has a great catch radius paired with tracking the ball wonderfully downfield.

Throughout his college career, he played 23 total games where he posted 110 receptions, 1,698 yards, 15.4 yards on average and 10 touchdowns.

Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Ohio State
6’ 1”, 200 lbs

Strengths:
– Route running
– Tracking the ball
– Body control

Weaknesses:
– Explosiveness
– Limited route tree#NFL #NFLTwitter #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/Km2LPz5V8Q
— Daniel Adams (@imdjadams) February 25, 2023

What Jaxon Smith-Njigba could bring to Buffalo

With the lack of production last season from many Bills receivers, the Bills are seeking some help in the slot and on the outside. The Bills made an effort to improve their WR room this offseason by signing Deonte Harty and Trent Sherfield to help in different aspects, but JSN is on another level. If there is a high-level talent such as Jaxon Smith-Njigba still on the draft board at pick 27, you jump on that opportunity if you’re the Bills. Or, if he falls back into the mid-late teens, maybe the Bills jump up and take him. Smith-Njigba can help in the slot by being able to take the top off at times while still being able to split defenders in zone coverage. He would be a very quarterback friendly target, something the Bills haven’t seen since Cole Beasley a couple years back.

Ohio State WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba says he would love to play for an elite quarterback like Josh Allen & said playing next to Stefon Diggs would help expand his game #Bills pic.twitter.com/IibZ5Sti2y
— Maddy Glab (@MadGlab) March 3, 2023

Strengths

Sits down in zone coverage very nicely and splits defenders.
Tracks the ball great downfield.
Great catch radius.
He can make guys miss with his smooth running.
Plays at great speeds on routes.
He creates great separation vertically and is a big vertical threat.

Weaknesses

Only played one true season of college football.
May only be able to play the slot.
Thin route tree at Ohio State.
Lacks high-end speed.

Draft Projection

Jaxon Smith-Njigba is a projected first round draft pick. The Bills could go many ways in the first round but if a receiver such as Smith-Njigba becomes available then don’t be surprised if the Bills take him.