Skip to main content

Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Aaron Rodgers? Analyst Reveals 'Best Fit' for Buckeyes WR

When discussing potential landing spots for Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Joel Klatt paired the Buckeye receiver with a former teammate.

Despite appearing in only three games for Ohio State in his junior season, receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba is still seen by several draft analysts as the top receiver in this class.

Where he goes, though, is of course still to be seen - and depending on which mock draft you look at, you'll get a variety of outcomes. Some mocks have him as high as No. 12 to the Houston Texans while others see him sliding into the later half of the first round.

For Joel Klatt, the best fit for Smith-Njigba is simple, which he revealed on the Joel Klatt Show.

"The New York Jets," Klatt said. "I think that 13th pick could be in play for Jaxon Smith-Njigba, right there with the New York Jets. Think about it for a moment - you could pair him back up with Garrett Wilson."

"When those two were on the field together that was just gangbusters already at Ohio State." 

One look at the duo's stats and Klatt is undeniably right, as Wilson and Smith-Njigba combined for 2,664 receiving yards and 21 touchdowns on 165 receptions in 2021. 

With a dynamic duo at receiver, whoever lines up at quarterback for the Jets will have plenty of weapons to work with - especially with the seemingly inevitable trade that sends Aaron Rodgers to New York. 

"While I understand they probably need some defensive help, look - if you're going all in for Aaron Rodgers, go all in for Aaron Rodgers," Klatt said. "Give him what he never got with the Green Bay Packers." 

"What did he always want and never got? A first-round wide receiver. This guy works really hard, he's really smart and with a guy who is aging in Aaron Rodgers, what do you give him? The ability to get the ball out of his hands quickly." 

The combination of Wilson and Smith-Njigba wouldn't be the only deadly duo in the AFC East, with the Miami Dolphins trotting out Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle on Sunday's. 

However, if the Jets do eventually trade for Rodgers then don't be surprised if Smith-Njigba heads to New York and reunites with his college teammate. 


You can find Connor Zimmerlee on Twitter @Connorjz98

Be sure to stay locked into BuckeyesNow all the time!

Join the BuckeyesNow community!

Subscribe to the BuckeyesNow YouTube channel

Follow BuckeyesNow on Twitter: @BuckeyesNow_FN

Follow BuckeyesNow on Instagram: @BuckeyesNow_FN

Like and follow BuckeyesNow on Facebook!