ESPN analyst Louis Reddick compares Jaxon Smith-Njigba to Cooper Kupp after Ohio State Pro Day

ESPN analyst Louis Reddick was present for Ohio State’s pro day workout and compared star receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba to NFL star Cooper Kupp. Smith-Njigba impressed at the workout, displaying his elite route-running and athleticism — and his natural size and talent led Reddick to compare him to a player every NFL team would want on their roster.

Louis Reddick highlights Jaxon Smith-Njigba’s pro day

One of the biggest question marks surrounding Smith-Njigba’s upcoming NFL draft stock is his measurable speed, which he answered in great fashion on Wednesday. Smith-Njigba recorded a 4.48 40-yard dash, well below fellow first-round Ohio State draft picks Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave entering the 2022 NFL Draft.

However, the time posted by Smith-Njigba was right on target for what NFL teams expected from the upcoming rookie — with his other talents being more valuable to the league than raw speed.

“I was standing right there at the finish line… he looked like he was running a lot faster than 4.50,” joked Reddick, who was present for the workout. “But I think that’s right in the ballpark.

“And then when you watch him go through his workout, he’s a fantastic route runner. He’s one of the very best as far as how he works from the slot. But he’s not just a slot receiver, he can play the X, he can play the Z, he can win outside. Brian Hartline, his wide receiver coach here and now the offensive coordinator at Ohio State, cannot say enough good things about this young man, that when it comes to winning contested situations… catching the ball in traffic, catching the ball in the various environments you have to catch it in the NFL… he can do it all.

“Think about Cooper Kupp. Think about how Cooper Kupp is used in LA. And think of bigger, maybe slightly bigger, just as fast if not faster and maybe more pliable, more athletic, more fluid player who will block just as well. That may be what you’re getting in Jaxon Smith-Njigba, which I think 32 teams would take if they could get their hands on him.”

Smith-Njigba is coming off a 2022 season derailed by injury, leading to a below-average stat-sheet on the field compared to what was expected of him after his phenomenal 2021-22 season. With 1,606 yards receiving on 95 receptions, Smith-Njigba set a Big Ten conference record for receiving years in a single season.