Jaxon Smith-Njigba on being projected as first receiver taken in NFL Draft: 'It's not that important to me'

Most NFL mock drafts have Ohio State receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba as the first wideout off the board. But while Smith-Njigba would be honored for that prediction to come true, it won’t be the end of the world to him if it doesn’t.

No matter where he lands, he is simply thankful for the chance to live out a lifelong dream.

“It’s not that important to me (to be the first receiver taken),” he said in a Tuesday appearance on SportsCenter. “I definitely feel my game speaks for itself. I’m just happy to be here like I said and hope I land where I’m supposed to go.”

Smith-Njigba had a breakout season in 2021 as a sophomore, leading the Buckeyes with 95 catches for 1,606 yards and nine touchdowns. He dazzled in the Rose Bowl that season with 15 catches for 347 yards and three scores. That set the bar high for his junior year in 2022, but unfortunately things didn’t go the way he hoped.

The receiver missed all but three games as he struggled with a hamstring injury. However, it hasn’t hurt his draft stock as he showed just how dangerous of a weapon he can be when healthy.

Smith-Njigba admitted that it’s hard to avoid seeing the mock draft projections. Still, he again reiterated that more than anything, he is excited to see where he’ll spend his rookie season.

“I mean, it’s a blessing. I’m just happy to be in this opportunity. Be in this spot. Be in this situation. It’s awesome. It’s hard not to see those things and see what’s out, but we’ll find out here shortly.”

The Ohio State product won’t have to wait long, as the NFL Draft is set to begin Thursday at 8 p.m. ET in Kansas City.

Todd McShay, Mel Kiper Jr. on why Jaxon smith-Njigba is the best receiver in the draft

In one of their many mock draft specials earlier this month, ESPN draft analyst Todd McShay and Mel Kiper Jr. discussed why Smith-Njigba stands out among the rest of the receivers. McShay cited his route-running and “soft hands” as some of his best attributes.

“This year’s class we don’t have elite top 10 receivers, but I think Smith-Njigba is the closest thing we have to a number one even though he’s going to play a lot in the slot,” he said. “I just like his instincts as a player, he’s an excellent route runner, he’s got soft hands. “He didn’t run a great 40 (yard dash), he ran a 4.51 unofficial at the pro day, but he just knows how to get open.”

Kiper agreed, saying that Smith-Njigba didn’t get enough credit for how well he performed in college as opposed to some of his teammates such as quarterback CJ Stroud.

“Yeah Todd when you look at Jaxon Smith-Njigba what goes unnoticed, people always want to credit everybody around him. It’s (CJ )Stroud, it’s the other receivers that helped him get that free release and do his damage,” Kiper said. “He obviously with the hamstring didn’t play this year, but then he ran that 4.5 40 (yard dash), I think that along with what he did at the combine showed what kind of player he can become.

“He’s gonna go very high, Smith-Njigba, despite not playing very much as well. Like I said, back in August he was fifth overall on my big board, doesn’t carry quite that high a grade right now, but Todd is right he’s still going very high.”