Saints use top-30 visit on sought-after prospect
The New Orleans Saints possess a nice arsenal of weapons at wide receiver with Michael Thomas, Chris Olave, and Rashid Shaheed. Who's to say you can't have more though? Well, the Saints are certainly making their rounds when comes to getting an additional piece for new starting quarterback Derek Carr to throw to as Ohio […]
The New Orleans Saints possess a nice arsenal of weapons at wide receiver with Michael Thomas, Chris Olave, and Rashid Shaheed.
Who's to say you can't have more though?
Well, the Saints are certainly making their rounds when comes to getting an additional piece for new starting quarterback Derek Carr to throw to as Ohio State wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba is set to be one of their top-30 visits.
Smith-Njigba played with Olave as well as Marvin Harrison Jr., who will be a highly scouted receiver in next year's NFL draft, during the 2021 season for the Buckeyes. Olave led the team with 13 touchdown receptions, but Smith-Njigba was the star of the group.
The Dallas, Texas native led the Buckeyes in receptions (95) and receiving yards (1,606, most in Ohio State history) on his way to third-team All-Big Ten and third-team All-American honors. What put Smith-Njigba's name as one of college football's biggest stars was in performance in the 2022 Rose Bowl against Utah.
Smith-Njigba set a Rose Bowl, FBS Bowl, and Ohio State record with 347 yards receiving on 15 receptions and also scored three touchdowns. Those 15 receptions, something he did twice that season, is also a record for the Buckeyes.
This led to Smith-Njigba being a top candidate to win the Biletnikoff Award last season which is given to the best receiver in the college ranks. However, Smith-Njigba suffered a hamstring injury in the season opener against Notre Dame. He would only play sparingly in two more games and tallied just five receptions for 43 yards all year.
It hasn't stopped Smith-Njigba from being a top prospect in April's draft. He participated in drills but didn't run the 40-yard dash at the combine. He saved that for his Pro Day and posted a time of 4.48 which should put to bed all the questions about his injury.
New Orleans has the 28th pick in the first round. So, the Saints might be in a situation where they have to trade up for Smith-Njigba if they want him bad enough, especially with teams slotted higher in the draft order showing interest.
