Saints Draft Prospect: Jaxon Smith-Njigba
It's safe to say that the New Orleans Saints have had an affinity for Ohio State players in recent years. Over the last 20 years, the Saints have drafted 10 former Ohio State Buckeyes, including five in the last seven years and one in each of the last two drafts.
You can't argue with their logic. Michael Thomas (WR, 2016), S Vonn Bell (2016), CB Marshon Lattimore (2017), LB Pete Werner (2021), and WR Chris Olave (2022) are either stars or on the verge of stardom. Will Smith is in the franchise's Hall of Fame. Malcolm Jenkins will someday join him. LeCharles Bentley made two Pro Bowls and the NFL All-Rookie team in five years with the team.
Several former Buckeyes are expected to be drafted in this year’s festivities. Quarterback C.J. Stroud and LT Paris Johnson will be long gone when the Saints pick at Number 29. RT Dawand Jones, DE Zach Harrison, C/G Luke Wypler, and S Ronnie Hickman will likely hear their names called before the end of Day 2. Cornerback Cameron Brown and WR Julian Fleming could be late-round gems.
Another highly-regarded Buckeye could be the first receiver off the board in Round 1, but also may fall to within striking distance for the Saints.
WR - Jaxon Smith-Njigba
Ohio State (Jr.)
6'1" 196-Lbs.
Ohio State Buckeyes receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) runs past Utah cornerback Malone Mataele (15) during the 2022 Rose Bowl. © Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK
A lightly used reserve as a freshman in 2020 (10 catches, 49 yards), Smith-Njigba exploded as a sophomore. Playing alongside 2022 first-round picks Olave and Garrett Wilson, he outshined them both by leading the team with 95 receptions for 1,606 yards. Both marks set school records for a single season.
Smith-Njigba had nine games of at least 90 yards during the 12-game 2021 regular season, including one 200-yard outing and five more of over 100. Then he erupted in Ohio State's Rose Bowl victory, catching 15 passes for a school record and NCAA Bowl game record 347 yards and three touchdowns.
A hamstring injury cut his season to just three games in 2022, catching five balls for 43 yards. Smith-Njigba put on modest performances in the vertical jump (35") and broad jump (10'5") at the NFL Scouting Combine. However, he showcased his elite short-area quickness by besting all participating wideouts in the 3-cone drill (6.57) and 20-yard shuttle (3.93) by a wide margin.
As amazing as Smith-Njigba's 2021 campaign was, it's still a small sample size for teams to judge. Scouts also have a concern about his speed, wondering if he has the acceleration to threaten defenses deep. He'd run the 40 just once at his Pro Day, turning in a time of 4.48 seconds.
Smith-Njigba needs to show better explosiveness at the top of his breaks to gain separation. Top corners may be able to sit on his routes and make plays on the ball. After the catch, he shows just average elusiveness in the open field and was typically brought down quickly.
Ohio State Buckeyes receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) dashes past Nebraska Cornhuskers safety Marquel Dismuke (9). © Barbara J. Perenic/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK
A reliable possession receiver, Smith-Njigba has terrific hands and extends well to make a reception. He has excellent short-area quickness that should allow him to get intermediate separation once he refines his routes.
Smith-Njigba has great understanding of zone concepts and will consistently find the open areas in a defense. He has elite concentration in traffic and terrific focus and control on deep throws.
Unfazed by physical defenders, Smith-Njigba expertly works the middle of the field. Most of his routes are disguised well because he works at top speed and he catches well on the run.
There are concerns about Smith-Njigba's ability to work as an outside receiver against the NFL's top corners. With only one year of productivity, he'll also have to show that he can run a full route tree and get separation at the next level.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba should be an immediate threat from the slot as a rookie. He'll need to show that he can develop as an outside receiver, but has the hands and route skills to be a reliable target for an offense over the middle.
Lance Zierlein of the NFL Network compares Smith-Njigba to Jarvis Landry. In his prime, Landry was a physical player who excelled from the slot and outside as a Pro Bowl intermediate target. Smith-Njigba will need to sharpen his routes and add more strength to his frame, but definitely shows that same potential.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba will certainly be a first-round pick and could be the first receiver selected. It's unlikely that the Saints would trade up to get him. However, if he slips to the end of Day 1, pairing him with fellow Buckeye wideouts Olave and Thomas, along with Rashid Shaheed, would give New Orleans an elite receiving corps.
