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Who is Cris Carter's WR1 in 2023 NFL Draft?

Former Ohio State wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba went through his NFL Scouting Combine workout Saturday, which prompted another former Buckeye to give him high praise.

Former Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Cris Carter has seen a lot of football from his playing days in the NFL and now as an analyst with NFL Network's "Good Morning Football."

His pass-catching pedigree landed him in the NFL Hall of Fame class of 2013 while ranking 13th in career receiving yards, sixth in receptions and fourth in touchdown catches. He tweeted Sunday morning that the best receiver in April's draft is former Buckeyes wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba.

Smith-Njigba missed 10 of the Buckeyes' 13 games with a lingering hamstring injury a season ago, hauling in five passes for 43 yards, following a sophomore season in which the Rockwall, TX. native set program records for single-season receptions, single-season receiving yards, single-game receptions and single-game receiving yards.

ESPN's Todd McShay has called Smith-Njigba a "tough evalutation," but he may have put some of those questions to rest with his NFL Scouting Combine workout Saturday.

He ran a 3.93 20-yard shuttle and 6.57 three-cone drill, which are both combine highs among all participants, while also showing off his route-running abilities.

Smith-Njigba did not run the 40-yard dash, but will at Ohio State's Pro Day.

He even had the opportunity to link back up with his college throwing mate in former Buckeyes quarterback C.J. Stroud as the two connected on a 20-yard pitch and catch.

Smith-Njigba is currently McShay's third-best receiver. ESPN's Mel Kiper has him as the No. 2 option among 2023 pass-catchers, while Jordan Reid and Matt Miller both have him as the best of any wide receiver.


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