(Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
For several months, Jaxon Smith-Njigba has established himself as the top receiving prospect in this year’s NFL Draft class.
Even if Smith-Njigba is the first receiver taken, Mike Florio has recently predicted his draft position, which is a bit later than previously expected.
In a recent article that he wrote, Florio believes that the window for Smith-Njigba opens with the No. 12 pick, and ends with the No. 22 pick.
This was also confirmed by Mel Kiper Jr., who, in his final mock draft, chose the Baltimore Ravens as Smith-Njigba’s most likely landing spot.
Mel Kiper predicts the Ravens will take Ohio State WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba in the first round in his final Mock Draft. pic.twitter.com/a0YNVVg9el
— Ravens Nation LIVE (@LIVERavenNation) April 27, 2023
Whether the Ravens land Smith-Njigba remains to be seen.
Smith-Njigba is one of several elite receiving prospects to come out of Ohio State in the last few years.
We’ve seen players like Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave have instant success in the league, and Marvin Harrison Jr. is still at OSU, and will likely be in the NFL very soon.
If Florio’s assertion is correct, 2023 would be the first time since 2020 to not feature a receiver in the first 10 picks.
Over the past several years, the NFL has become a pass-friendly league, putting extra emphasis on wide receivers.
This has upped their value in the draft, causing teams to select them earlier and earlier.
Last year, there were six receivers taken in the first round and five in the 2021 draft.
Will that trend continue this year, if Florio’s prediction is any indication?
Or, will a weaker class of receivers result in a smaller amount taken in the first round?
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