Jaxon Smith-Njigba Profile

By: Lucas Kochevar

​#11 Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Ohio State, 6’1’’ 196 lbs.

• Missed most of 2022 with hamstring issue.
• 2021 stats: 95 Recs, 1,606 Yds, 9 TDs
• Games Watched: Utah, Penn State, Oregon

Film Thoughts: Reliable hands, creates separation via route running. Has good speed, not track runner speed. Has a good release. Needs work on ball security here and there. Doesn’t have a ton of moves after the catch, but he beats defenders with speed. Has good feet near the sideline. Can go up for some catches. Doesn’t have a huge catch radius. Not super physical at the line. Iffy blocker for his size. Decent catch in traffic. His change of direction is great.
 
Jaxon Smith-Nijigba missed nearly all of 2022 a lingering hamstring issue and decided to shut down his season prior to the Peach Bowl versus Georgia. That’s a decision that people might hold over his head, however, JaMarr Chase sat out the entire 2020 season and it didn’t really matter at all for him. That’s my view on his decision for 2022. Either way, his film basically is all from the 2021 season where he was the primary slot guy on Ohio State until he played his best game against Utah in the Rose Bowl. Smith-Njigba isn’t huge and doesn’t have track speed, but his great hands and fantastic route running make him my favorite receiver in the years draft. He changes direction on a dime with or without the ball. He’s not a huge jump ball receiver but has a decent catch radius to handle himself in traffic. He likely needs to work on his blocking, but I think in the right scheme he can be a legitimate threat catching the ball. 

Sources: Image via Jay LaPrete, AP