Patriots: Top wide receiver draft prospect teases selection from New England
Ohio State wide receiver prospect Jaxon Smith-Njigba was in Boston on Monday night, but it was to take in a Red Sox game, not for any contact with the New England Patriots. Smith-Njigba was watching his brother, Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Canaan Smith-Njigba, take on the Red Sox. A source said Jaxon Smith-Njigba’s travel to Boston […]
Ohio State wide receiver prospect Jaxon Smith-Njigba was in Boston on Monday night, but it was to take in a Red Sox game, not for any contact with the New England Patriots.
Smith-Njigba was watching his brother, Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Canaan Smith-Njigba, take on the Red Sox. A source said Jaxon Smith-Njigba’s travel to Boston didn’t include a visit with the Patriots.
NESN’s Jahmai Webster caught up with Smith-Njigba in the stands at Fenway Park.
“I’ve loved it here so far,” Smith-Njigba said of Boston. “Y’all have treated me with just great respect and showing me a great time. We’ll see. Maybe I’m here in a few months.”
The Patriots met with Smith-Njigba at the NFL Scouting Combine. Wide receivers coach Ross Douglas also reportedly was present at Ohio State’s pro day, and New England held “extensive” meetings with Smith-Njigba and offensive tackle Paris Johnson, Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer reported.
Smith-Njigba was primarily a slot receiver with the Buckeyes. His combine and pro day measurables stack up very similarly to that of former Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman.
The Ohio State wideout is 6-foot-1, 196 pounds and ran a 4.52-second 40-yard dash with a 3.93-second short shuttle, 6.57-second 3-cone drill, 35-inch vertical leap and 10-feet, 5-inch broad jump.
Back in 2009, Edelman measured in at 5-foot-10, 195 pounds and ran a 4.52-second 40-yard dash with a 3.92-second short shuttle, 6.62-second 3-cone drill, 36.5-inch vertical leap and 10-feet, 3-inch broad jump.
Smith-Njigba barely played as a junior last season due to a hamstring injury. He was Ohio State’s most productive wide receiver over New York Jets wideout Garrett Wilson, New Orleans Saints receiver Chris Olave and Marvin Harrison Jr. in 2021. Smith-Njigba caught 95 passes for 1,605 yards with nine touchdowns that season. He caught just five passes for 43 yards last season.
The Patriots own the No. 14 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft and also have needs at cornerback and offensive tackle. Other top wide receiver prospects include Boston College’s Zay Flowers, TCU’s Quentin Johnston and USC’s Jordan Addison.
Featured image via Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK
