Former Ohio State receiver and potential Houston Texans draft target Jaxon Smith-Njigba is something of an enigma on draft boards in this year’s class, and his decision to not run in the 40-yard dash event at the NFL combine may impact his stock in April
One of the top prospects at the receiver position in this year’s class, Smith-Njigba is still fighting a hamstring injury that sidelined him for most of the 2022 season, though the reputation he garnered as the college football’s best wideout in 2021 preceded him when he arrived in Indianapolis.
Speaking to the media on Friday, Smith-Njigba made it clear that he feels he has something to prove and gave an impassioned response to a reporter when asked about fans questioning his ability to play at a high level in the NFL.
“I mean, of course, that’s on there but what can you do,” Smith-Njiba said. “My mindset’s always stayed the same. I’m the best at what I do, and I’m definitely always ready to prove that at any point. And this is just another point that I’m ready to prove to them.”
Smith-Njigba’s underdog mentality would fit right in with the scrappy Texans, who are in desperate need of a game-changer in their receiving corps heading into 2023. The team will likely draft a quarterback with their second overall pick and may opt to give their new signal caller a clear-cut top receiving option with their 12th overall pick.
Should the team decide to select quarterback C.J. Stroud with the second overall pick, in a worst-case scenario where they fail to secure the services of Bryce Young, Smith-Njigba would be a no-brainer for the team. His experience playing with his college teammate could help form a quick connection in the NFL in a situation similar to that of Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase as members of the Cincinnati Bengals.
Whether the Texans will target a receiver in the first round or not is, to this point, unknown. But, if Smith-Njigba is available when Houston makes their 12th overall selection, they may decide that his talent is too enticing to pass up as a team that has a desperate need for an elite receiver.