Rewind the clock a year and there was no hotter prospect for the 2023 draft than Jaxon Smith-Njigba. In a wide receiver room that featured two first-round picks in the 2022 draft (Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson), JSN was the alpha. Highlighted by a 347-yard Rose Bowl performance, there were talks about him even being a top-five pick. Fast forward to the present day, and his most recent season could not have gone much worse. JSN only had a catch in three games, with only five in the whole season. He was constantly injured and appeared to push himself back too early and re-injured himself multiple times. All of it culminated in his decision to sit out of the Peach Bowl (an eventual loss by OSU). JSN has gotten a lot of bad publicity for sitting out despite his teammates’ backing in the media. There was also no confirmation he was 100% for the game either way. While not identical, this situation JSN finds himself in after declaring for the draft is similar to a player that was drafted last year, Derek Stingley Jr. 

Like Smith-Njigba, Stingley only recorded stats in three games of his final year at college. Prior to that final season, he was thought of as an otherworldly prospect. Injuries derailed what could have been a storied college career. That being said, Stingley got healthy after some time (even though he missed the combine) and was able to have a very impressive pro day. It ended up working out for Stingley as he was picked third by the Texans last May. Nothing suggests JSN will not be healthy and ready for the combine. If he tests very well as he should, scouts may look past the injuries and focus on his 2021 season. If this is what happens, Jaxon Smith Njigba could be a top-ten pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.