Mike Vrabel, Titans have watchful eye on top WR prospect
2023 NFL Draft prospect Jaxon Smith-Njigba shines at Ohio State Pro Day with Mike Vrabel and the Tennessee Titans front office in attendance.
2023 NFL Draft prospect and Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba put on a show for Mike Vrabel and the Tennessee Titans' front office at his Pro Day on Wednesday.
Smith-Njigba suffered a hamstring injury that cost him most of his 2022 season, but in 2021, he was one of the most dominant wide receivers in college football. Helping the Buckeyes to a Rose Bowl victory, Smith-Njigba had 95 catches, 1,606 receiving yards, and nine touchdowns as a sophomore.
After opting to not run the 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis, JSN was showcasing his talents on Wednesday at Ohio State's Pro Day, and the Tennessee Titans were watching very closely.
The Titans were one of the more represented teams in Columbus. GM Ran Carthon, head coach Mike Vrabel, offensive coordinator Tim Kelly, assistant GM Chad Brinker and a few others were all present to see what the promising crop of Buckeyes could do.
With the 11th overall pick and a massive need at wide receiver, it's very possible that Smith-Njigba is high up on the Titans big board for the upcoming draft. Here's what Mike Vrabel had to say about what he's looking for in JSN:
"We're looking for guys that can get open, that catch the ball, that can do things after it, that can create seperation," Vrabel told Kellyanne Stitts of WSYX ABC 6. Vrabel also mentioned Smith-Njigba's ability to work both inside and outside as something he values about his game.
Tennessee's need for a wide out that compliments Treylon Burks cannot be understated. The Titans lacked playmakers in 2022, and they lacked weapons that created seperation, as Vrabel pointed out.
The Titans need to open up their offense and become more threatening in the downfield passing game in order to make Derrick Henry's life easier in the backfield. But in order to do so, Ryan Tannehill needs targets to throw to. The current wide receiving corps of Burks, Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, Racey McMath, and Kyle Philips is not going to cut it.
It's possible JSN would have been a slam dunk top 10 pick had he not lost his 2022 season to injury. Perhaps picking 11th overall will present Tennessee with a rare opportunity to get a bonafide star wide receiver later in the draft than once expected.
Smith-Njigba ran somewhere between a 4.48 and 4.52 in the 40, much faster than some anticipated. His route running and reliable hands are clear as day on tape, and he'd be a great piece for the Titans should they select him at 11th overall.
Image via Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
