Jaxon Smith-Njigba - WR - Ohio St.

Can technique make up for a lack of athleticism?

In 2021, Jaxson Smith-Njigba put up video game numbers in the Ohio State offense.

He is a crafty route runner with a good feel for space. He always seems to settle down in the right spot in zone coverage. He has a good package of releases, and he runs routes with tempo and misdirection.

Although he’s a great separator, there is definitely a lack of long speed. He will never take the top off the defense. He will almost never beat an NFL athlete to the edge and turn the corner to turn a drag into an explosive play, for example.

Injuries are also a concern. Hamstring injuries usually don’t keep a player out that long. We haven’t seen him fully recovered from that.

But Smith-Njigba, like all Ohio State receivers, has great body control and ball tracking ability. He uses his superior body control to twist and snag catches behind him, slip through traffic in the middle of the field, make breaks, and make guys miss after the catch. So many times he catches the ball facing the QB with a DB on his hip, and then shakes the defender when he turns it upfield. Travis Kelce does this approximately 15 times every single game.

Jared Feinberg @JRodNFLDraft

Jaxon Smith-Njigba (OSU #11) has the ability to beat press-man. However, he didn’t have to a opportunity to show it consistently bc of his role as OSU’s primary slot. Doesn’t mean he can’t do it (example below). Reminds me of the Justin Jefferson convos during the ‘21 draft.

^ This play is basically everything good and bad about Smith-Njigba.

JSN reminds me a lot of Amon-Ra St Brown. He might run a 4.6 at the combine, he might fall in the draft because of it, but he has a great feel for the game and does all the little things right.

I wish we could’ve seen what he could do lined up outside more this season. With what we have, it’s impossible to project him as an NFL X. We have basically never seen him be that guy before.

He will never be in that Ja’Marr Chase tier of player. His athletic ceiling is much lower than your typical round one pick. But could he be a Keenan Allen type? Amon Ra St. Brown like I mentioned? Both of those players tested pretty badly, and still made pro bowls. He could be like them, he showed an uncanny feel for the game at just 19 years old last season, and that’s still very valuable and worth selecting pretty high. Plus, a bet on an Ohio State receiver is usually a safe one. I don’t think anyone will regret selecting this guy.

Grade: 6.4 - Dependable Starter - Late 1st/Early 2nd