A new mock draft from Charles McDonald of Yahoo Sports has the Green Bay Packers getting Ohio State wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba at No. 15 overall in the first round of the 2023 draft.
McDonald believes the Packers need more talent at wide receiver, and he also thinks Smith-Njigba could be the next Randall Cobb in Green Bay.
Imagine a Packers passing game – regardless of who is playing quarterback – with Smith-Njigba, Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs as the foundation at wide receiver.
While listed at 6-1 and 200 pounds on Ohio State’s website, Smith-Njigba is a smaller receiver who doesn’t perfectly fit what the Packers have traditionally looked for at the position. His collegiate production and potential in the slot at the next level do create an intriguing option for the Packers, especially in a receiver room already featuring Watson and Doubs as perimeter targets.
In 2021, Smith-Njigba set new Ohio State records by catching 95 passes for 1,606 yards despite playing with both Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave, two first-round picks in 2022. His 1,606 receiving yards set a new Big Ten record.
Allen Lazard and Cobb are free agents and could depart in March, especially if Aaron Rodgers is no longer in the team’s plans for 2023. The Packers will almost certainly have to add to the room via the draft, although it’s worth noting that the franchise hasn’t picked a receiver in the first round since 2002.
Brennen Rupp of Packers Wire already profiled Smith-Njigba in his draft preview series.
From Rupp: “Smith-Njigba is a pro-ready wide receiver. He’s not a speed merchant and he’s not going to run a blazing 40-time at the NFL Scouting Combine. However, he plays faster than his 40-time will indicate due to his route-running prowess.”
His ability to play in the slot and out wide would provide an ideal match for what the Packers have already built at receiver.
Should the Packers target a receiver in the first round of this year’s draft? Is Smith-Njigba a target worthy of the No. 15 pick? Let us know in the comments.
