The Seahawks selected Ohio State WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba with the 20th pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. JSN turned in one of the most impressive sophomore seasons we’ve ever seen back in 2021. He racked up 95 catches for 1,606 yards and nine TDs, out-producing both Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave while also beating those eventual first-round picks in yards per route run and Pro Football Focus receiving grade. A lingering hamstring injury limited Smith-Njigba to 60 total snaps this past year. But he was healthy enough to work out in the pre-draft process, where he posted elite marks in the 3-cone and short shuttle. That agility shows up on tape: JSN is impossible to stick with one-on-one and regularly adds yardage after the catch. Smith-Njibga has just-ok size (6’1, 196 lbs.) and speed (4.52-second 40 time), which puts a cap on his big-play upside. But he looks capable of quickly emerging as a high-volume target. Think Amon-Ra St. Brown. With the Seahawks, JSN will fit in as a day-one slot. Note that D.K. Metcalf and Tyler Lockett are signed through the 2025 season.
Buckeyes WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba declined to run the 40-yard dash Saturday at the NFL Scouting Combine. He also tied for just 23rd at the position in the broad jump (10'5) and 27th in the vertical (35 inches). JSN did, however, lead all WRs with a 6.57-second three-cone drill. Frankly, we're not worried about this performance after the way he performed in a loaded Ohio State WR corps in 2021. Smith-Njigba also continued to look good in the on-field Combine workouts. We'll have much more on the likely NFL Draft first-round pick.
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