Jaxon Smith-Njigba Scouting Report

By: Michael Higgins

(Image courtesy of Jay LePrete/AP Photo)

School: Ohio State (Junior)

Position: WR

HT: 6’1

WT: 198 lbs

Sideline Prospect Ranking: #19

Jaxon Smith-Njigba was a 5-star recruit out of Rockwall High School in Texas. He was one of the most electric players in the country before committing to Ohio State. Smith-Njigba had one of the most productive seasons at the wide receiver position that we have ever seen at the collegiate level in 2021. He was seemingly CJ Stroud’s favorite weapon on an offense that included the likes of Chris Olave, Garrett Wilson, and Marvin Harrison Jr. He also had the greatest single game performance by a wide receiver during the Rose Bowl against Utah. His route running and footwork have always been his strengths and it seems like he is always able to find the holes in the defense and get open anywhere on the field. He is able to stack corners in the slot and use proper angles when identifying coverages. At the catch point, Smith-Njigba demonstrates late hands in order to keep defenders from making a play on the ball. He also has the ability to keep his stride when hauling in the football as opposed to decelerating to focus on catching the ball. While he is not some physical specimen with an eye-popping frame, he is a safety net for the quarterback as he can get open on any route. Smith-Njigba has quite a diverse route tree for the Buckeyes despite playing primarily as a slot receiver.

The downsides to Smith-Njigba are not excessive, but they are apparent. Jaxon is a slot receiver but he does not have elite speed that you so often see from the smaller slot receivers. He is a 4.5 40 guy, but his elite route running disguises the lack of over the top speed. The next issue with Smith-Njigba’s game us the fact that he really only has one season’s worth of productive tape. That is not to say he hasn’t been an absolute show stopper ever since he arrived in Columbus, but you would like to see a bigger sample size from a first round receiver. He did not play most of the 2022 season due to an injury that seemed to linger all season long. Despite not playing much at all in 2022, I do not expect that to derail the beginning of his career trajectory. People were worried that guys like Jamarr Chase and Penei Sewell would struggle in their rookie seasons after not playing football in 2020, but they couldn’t have been more wrong. While Jaxon Smith-Njigba has been more productive as a slot receiver, I would have loved to see him on the outside more often than he was.

Overall, Jaxon Smith-Njigba certainly has his limitations as a player but he has undeniable ability to excel as a receiver at the next level with elite route running, consistent hands, and the ability to rack up yards after the catch. With his lack of elite speed, he is still able to create separation with elusive and deceptive footwork.

Scheme Fit: Pro Spread

Ideal Role: Y-receiver

Best Team Fits: CHI, LAC, NE

Player Comparison: Calvin Ridley

Player Grade: 85.7