Cris Carter makes Jaxon Smith-Njigba's case as No. 1 wideout in 2023 NFL Draft

If you’ve got Cris Carter’s approval, you’re probably going to make it as an NFL wide receiver.

Carter, widely regarded as one of the greatest wide receivers of all time, called Ohio State‘s Jaxon Smith-Njigba the best wideout in this year’s draft following his pro day workouts earlier this week. He was in Indianapolis all week to watch some of the best talent entering the league this draft cycle.

“Don’t be fooled, this is WR1 in the #NFLDraft2023 , that will be solidified on his Pro Day when he runs a blazing 40 yard dash,” Carter tweeted Sunday morning about the Ohio State star.

Smith-Njigba will be looking to replicate Carter’s career, whose 16-year career included eight-straight 1,000-yard seasons for the Minnesota Vikings throughout the 90s. The Pro Football Hall of Famer, who has now transitoned to an analyst role since his retirement, and made sure there are no questions as to who he sees as the next big wideout from this draft class.

Despite missing most of his final season with the Buckeyes with injury, Smith-Njigba elected to perform in every drill at the NFL Draft except for the 40-yard-dash, citing he wants to heal a bit more before officially showing off his speed to scouts. Instead, Smith-Njigba will run his 40 at Ohio State’s Pro Day later this month.

He went on to clock the highest times for the 3-Cone drill (6.57 seconds) and the 20-yard shuttle (3.93 seconds) out of all the wide receivers at the NFL Combine.

His numbers in college back up his performance in Indianapolis as well. He was a reserve as a true freshman and dealt with injuries his enitre junior season — but his performance during his sophomore campaign have had NFL scouts drooling for over a year now.

Smith-Njigba’s 95 rececptions for 1,606 yards and 9 receiving touchdowns that season, inluding a record-setting 347-yard receiving performance in the 2022 Rose Bowl, has earned him a spot at the No. 1 wide receiver in the 2023 NFL Draft.