Ex Buckeye Garrett Wilson: Jaxon Smith-Njigba a 'Cold-Blooded Man,' WR1 in NFL Draft?

Former Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba has already left a huge impact on the program in his college career. Now, Garrett Wilson thinks he will carry that success to the NFL.

Author:
Casey Smith
Feb 23, 2023 11:46 AM EST

In this story:

Ohio State Buckeyes

New York Jets

Nebraska Cornhuskers

New York Jets and former Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Garrett Wilson made a name for himself in year 1 in the NFL, winning Offensive Rookie of the Year honors.

So yeah, I think his opinion when it comes to evaluating pass-catching talent, and his evaluation of projected first-round draft pick and former Buckeyes wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba was one of high praise.

"Jaxon is a cold-blooded man, man. We call him, 'the natural,'" Wilson said in an interview with Yahoo! Sports Feb. 9. "He's got hands, he's got feet that'll throw you by, make you miss. He'll do the laundry for you."

The Rockwall, TX. native made an impact from day one in Columbus.

In his first game of his COVID-19-shortened freshman season against the Nebraska Cornhuskers, he made an acrobatic toe-tap touchdown catch in the back of the end zone, officially welcoming himself to Buckeye Nation in style.

It shocked the world when news broke that Chris Olave was returning for the 2021 season for one final go-around with Wilson, but neither of the eventual back-to-back NFL draft picks led the team in receiving that year.

It was Smith-Njigba.

Capped off by an incredible Rose Bowl performance in which he hauled in 15 catches for 347 yards and three touchdowns, Smith-Njigba set Ohio State's single-season program records with 95 receptions and 1,606 receiving yards.

Wilson doubled down on a prior interview where he said Smith-Njigba was the best of the lethal pass-catching trio.

There have been multiple mock drafts that have Smith-Njigba going later in the first round, but Wilson thinks he should be the first wide receiver taken.

"If he's not, there's a problem. I promise," Wilson said. "I'm confident that wherever he goes, he's going to have a huge impact early."