Joel Klatt projects Jaxon Smith-Njigba to Houston Texans

Fox Sports’ Joel Klatt projected former Ohio State wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba to reunite with C.J. Stroud on the Houston Texans.

Based on his 2023 NFL mock draft, Klatt picked the Texans to go with two Ohio State stars within the first 12 picks of the first round. First up it’s Stroud with the No. 2 overall pick and then Smith-Njigba 10 picks later.

He broke down the instant success for Houston if the team pulls it off.

“So you can give my best wide receiver on the board to his college quarterback who’s going to be our rookie quarterback,” Klatt said on his podcast. “Sign me up. Jaxon Smith-Njiga of Ohio State goes to Houston. I really liked this pick, pairing these guys up. They obviously have a great relationship. They’ve got a great timing. You’re immediately getting a combination that’s going to gel quicker at a young age than most obviously. And you’re getting a guy specifically, that’s not just the teammate of C.J. Stroud, but he’s also a guy that I think is the best wide receiver in the draft. 

“I don’t care what he ran. I really don’t. I think people if you’re hung up on what (he) ran in the 40, I think you’re thinking about the wrong things. This guy is going to lead the league in receptions at some point in his first three or four years.”

Klatt mentioned the relationship between Stroud and Smith-Njigba could make Houston viable instantly. He also predicted bg numbers for the wide receiver in Houston, or if he happens to go elsewhere.

“I’d be surprised if an offensive coordinator that’s worth their salt at all (can’t figure this out) and I think he has 75 catches as a rookie,” Klatt said. “I think if he’s got a great quarterback, which  in this instance it would be a rookie in C.J. Stroud, so I don’t think he would get to the mark that I’m about to say. But let’s just say for the sake of argument, Smith-Njigba goes to someplace with a veteran quarterback. I think you have 90 catches in his first year. He’s that good. 

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“He understands space, he’s got great hands. And when you talk to Garrett Wilson and when you talk to Chris Olave … even they admit that the best player on that offense two years ago was Jaxon Smith-Njigba … That’s why he’s my number one wide receiver and I love him going to the Texans.”