Jaxon Smith-Njigba calls CJ Stroud 'the best player in the draft'

Jaxon Smith-Njigba believes CJ Stroud is not only the best quarterback, but also the best player in this year’s NFL draft. Smith-Njigba saw Stroud’s talent firsthand the past two seasons at Ohio State and knows whichever team ends up with him is getting a special player.

With both players eager to find out where they will fall once the draft kicks off on Thursday, the receiver made a strong statement on what his former QB will bring wherever he lands.

“They’re getting a leader,” he said Tuesday on SportsCenter. “They’re getting a competitor. They’re getting the best player in this draft. You see it on the film. You see it on the field. He’s gonna be wherever he’s supposed to be. We’re not really too worried about it. Just leave it up to God’s hands. But you’re getting the best QB in this draft. I’m excited to see where he goes.”

Smith-Njigba was Stroud’s top target in 2021 as he finished with 95 catches for 1,606 yards and nine touchdowns. Although the receiver missed all but three games in 2022, it didn’t slow down Stroud, who recorded 3,688 yards, 41 touchdowns and six interceptions. The quarterback’s most impressive performance came in a College Football Playoff semifinal game against eventual champion Georgia, going 23-of-34 passing for 348 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions.

Both Jaxon Smith-Njigba and CJ Stroud are projected first round picks. Stroud at one point was thought to be the No. 1 overall pick to the Carolina Panthers. However, in recent weeks most experts have changed tune to predict Carolina to take Alabama quarterback Bryce Young.

But regardless of where Stroud ends up, he has the support from his former teammate.

“I’m not surprised (to see Stroud fall),” Smith-Njigba said. “A lot of things come out and a lot of things are being said. You don’t know what to trust or what to look at. But we’re just gonna have to wait and see.”

NFL insider on how far CJ Stroud could slide in draft

According to ESPN analyst Jeremy Fowler, Stroud won’t be waiting too much longer after the first two selections. The former Ohio State star is still a hot commodity for NFL teams shopping for their next franchise quarterback.

“CJ Stroud, there doesn’t seem to be a lot of momentum with him and the Texans at No. 2,” said Fowler on SportsCenter. “We’ll see. If he doesn’t go No. 2, where does he fit? So I’ve been asking around teams, asking will this guy slide potentially and they said, look, this guy is still a top-tier quarterback in this class.

“If he slips, it will not be very far. Some team outside of the top-10 could go and try to get him, jump up if he slips to No. 5 or 6, maybe they could make that move.”

Regardless, Stroud will hear his named called shortly after the 2023 NFL Draft kicks off on Thursday, April 27 in Kansas City, Missouri. The draft will begin on 8 p.m. ET and will be aired live on ESPN, ABC and the NFL Network.

On3’s Barkley Truax contributed to this report.