Dynasty Rookie Draft Profile: Jaxon Smith-Njigba (2023 Fantasy Football)

To help you prepare for your dynasty rookie and startup drafts, Derek Brown is putting together a dynasty rookie outlook for each and every fantasy-relevant 2023 NFL Draft prospect. We are combining DBro’s fantasy outlook with the NFL Draft profile of Matthew Jones. Here’s our dynasty rookie draft profile for Jaxon Smith-Njigba.

Expert Consensus 2023 Dynasty Superflex Rookie Draft Rankings: Top-50

Dynasty Rookie Draft Profile: Jaxon Smith-Njigba

Jaxon Smith-Njigba Dynasty Rookie Draft Outlook

Smith-Njiba won’t burn you in the open field with his raw speed, but that isn’t necessary for him to succeed. He’s a route tactician with the route-running chops of an NFL veteran. Smith-Njiba’s snap at the top of his stem is excellent, which allows him to create easy separation. Any team investing high draft capital in him knows what they are getting: a high-volume wide receiver that can work both inside and on the perimeter. Yes, Smith-Njiba was a slot receiver in college, but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t have the intangibles to get loose on the boundary. He wins with excellent, quick footwork at the line and in space. He’s more quick than fast. Also, in saying that, it has to be mentioned that he is plenty quick to win in the NFL.

While it’s not a huge part of his game (only 16.1% of his 2021 target volume), he can win on vertical routes. He flashes the ability to stack corners on verticals from the slot easily. Smith-Njiba was ninth in yards per route run on deep targets, tied for first In PFF deep receiving grade, and second in passer rating when targeted on routes 20-plus yards in 2021 (minimum 15 deep targets). Smith-Njigba could be an immediate target hog in the NFL. He will be an immediate asset to the run game. He’s a tenacious blocker who engages well with defenders and anchors them. He won’t blow defenders out of their cleats, but he has the functional strength to hold running lanes or clear a path.

– Derek Brown

Check out all of our 2023 NFL Draft Scouting Reports & Prospect Profiles

Jaxon Smith-Njigba 2023 NFL Draft Outlook

Hasn’t had a chance to show what he can do this past season, but what he showed as a sophomore strongly suggests he’s one of the most pro-ready receivers in the class, as a technically sound, nuanced wideout with a good understanding of releases, route-running, and coverages. Should be an early contributor out of the slot, with the potential to slide outside and work as a flanker with time. Looks likely to come off the board sometime in the first round, potentially as the first receiver chosen.

– Matthew Jones

Projection: Round 1

Check out the full 2023 NFL Draft profile for Jaxon Smith-Njigba here