NBC Sports' Peter King disagrees with scouts and draft experts that Ohio State's Jaxon Smith-Njigba might be the first receiver drafted in 2023.
King recently questioned why Smith-Njigba has been so highly regarded, especially in mock selections, just 10 days before the draft in a strong WR class that might contain five first-round picks.
4.48 40-yard dash. How is Jaxon Smith-Njigba the top-rated receiver on so many boards with 10 days left?
King may be right. “In a 4.5-month season, he managed to play the equivalent of one football game,” he said, confirming that some teams are wary of picking Smith-Njigba in the mid-first round due to his injury history.
In 2022, Jordan Addison, Quentin Johnston, and Zay Flowers all had strong seasons. Smith-Njigba played only three games in 2022, catching five catches for 43 yards.
He broke school records with 95 receptions and 1,606 yards as a sophomore.
nine touchdowns while splitting time with two first-round draft picks—Garrett Wilson (No. 10 overall) and Chris Olave (No. 11 overall).