The Chicago Bears have scheduled a pre-draft visit scheduled with Ohio State wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, according to OSU beat writer Dan Hope.
After trading the No. 1 pick to the Carolina Panthers in a package that included the ninth overall pick, a future first-rounder, two second-round picks and wide receiver DJ Moore, the Bears are in a prime position to land a top prospect.
Quarterback Justin Fields has expressed his desire to have his former college teammate in Chicago, and Smith-Njigba would also enjoy a reunion. But there are a slew of needs the Bears have to address in this draft, including the defensive line and offensive line.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba said he has pre-draft visits scheduled with the Bears, Panthers and Saints.
Cam Brown had dinner with the New Saints last night and has a visit scheduled with the Bengals.
Tanner McCalister is scheduled to visit the Cowboys.
— Dan Hope (@Dan_Hope) March 22, 2023
Smith-Njigba played in just three games last season with the Buckeyes due to a hamstring injury. But he was coming off an impressive sophomore season, where he had 95 receptions for 1,606 yards — both team highs — and nine touchdowns.
While drafting Smith-Njigba at No. 9 might seem unlikely for a Bears team that has three top wideouts in Moore, Darnell Mooney and Chase Claypool, GM Ryan Poles previously said he won’t let prioritizing need get in the way of selecting the best player available.
Moore, acquired in a trade for the No. 1 pick, is under contract through 2025. But Mooney and Claypool are entering the final year of their rookie deals, so bringing in Smith-Njigba to solidify that receiving group could be an option.
