Jaxon Smith-Njigba Scouting Report
School: Ohio State Year: Junior Games Watched: Oregon (2021), Purdue (2021), Utah (2021), Notre Dame (2022) Best Game: Utah (2021) Worst Game: Notre Dame (2022)
Route Running: Good route runner, is able to identify what defense he is going against and knows how to attack it. Finds open spots to sit in vs zone coverage. Gets to top gear quickly. Identifies blitzers pre snap and knows if he is the hot route. Disguises concepts well, can act like he going to block and sneak out or vice versa. Able to stop suddenly. Works back to the QB on broken plays.
Blocking: Shows effort here, especially on bubble screens to his side. Will grapple with the defender until they’re free from his grasp or the whistle blows. Isn’t afraid to get in the defenders face. Has more than his fair share of moments of being engaged with the defender before the ball is thrown, this will be flagged in the pros.
Contested Catch Ability: Has phenomenal body adjustment ability. Knows how to attack the defender when their head is turned away from the QB.
Separation: Has a fantastic ability to attack defenders while they’re flat footed and be able to gain separation. Has a variety of hesitation and stutter steps he uses to help confuse the defender. Finds open holes in the defense regularly. Won’t gain separation with long speed.
Ball Skills: Extends his hands away from his frame. Reliable hands. Only saw one double catch.
Beating Press: Uses basketball style size-ups and hesitation moves to get defensive backs to commit the wrong leverage.
YAC Ability: Not an overly elusive ball carrier but he can eliminate pursuit angles and run through arm tackles. Capable of putting his foot in the ground and making one person miss.
Ball Tracking: Superb ball tracker, times his jumps phenomenally and is able to angle his body to best come down with the ball. Able to look throws in over the shoulder, no issues here.
Long Speed: Not sure we’ll get to see him test due to his hamstring, but I would venture he runs a 4.55-4.58. Appears quicker rather than fast as he gets to top speed quite well, just flattens out earlier than you’d like.
Versatility: Saw him take reps from the slot, and split out wide. Has some long term injury concerns with his hamstring as it only allowed him to play 3 games in 2022. Able to take touch pass sweeps for positive yards. Capable of succeeding with manufactured touches and non manufactured touches.
Route Running (15)
13.25
Beating Press (10)
8.8
Blocking (5)
3.2
YAC Ability (10)
7.9
Contested Catch Ability (10)
8.35
Ball Tracking (10)
9.5
Separation (10)
8.35
Long Speed (10)
5.7
Ball Skills (10)
9.35
Versatility (10)
8.35
Final Grade: 82.75, 2nd round player