Carolina Panthers WR Legend Steve Smith Raves About 'Playmaker' Jaxon Smith-Njigba
As the time to the 2023 NFL Draft ticks away, social media has become increasingly active as users begin to express their thoughts on some of the potential faces in a position to join their favorite team.
One such face set to hear his name called during the annual event is Ohio State junior wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who recently received quite the endorsement on the platform.
Steve Smith Sr. played for the Carolina Panthers from 2001 to 2013 in the same position as Smith-Njigba. On Wednesday, following Smith-Njigba's participation at Ohio State's annual Pro Day, Smith Sr. took to Twitter to let people know that he had already seen enough from the Buckeye known as "JSN."
"I know many will have something to say, but I don't care what his 40 time is," Smith Sr. said in a Tweet, followed by "Jaxon Smith-Njigba = Playmaker."
The Carolina Panthers currently hold the number one pick in the draft after trading for it with the Chicago Bears and could select Smith-Njigba if they wish to. However, according to Mel Kiper's latest mock draft, the Panthers will choose Smith-Njigba's Ohio State teammate instead: redshirt freshman quarterback C.J. Stroud.
In the same mock draft, Smith-Njigba is projected to be chosen by the Seattle Seahawks with the 20th pick.
Carolina does not have another pick in the first round after the top selection, so the chances the Panthers could take both Stroud and Smith-Njigba are unlikely, barring a trade.
The support of a franchise mainstay like Smith Sr. undoubtedly has power within the organization, but only time will tell if it is enough to shake the Panthers from taking Stroud, in favor of a "playmaker" like Smith-Njigba.
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