4 reasons why the Bears should select Jaxon Smith-Njigba in 2023 NFL Draft

Before the Chicago Bears traded the No. 1 pick to the Carolina Panthers, Jaxon Smith-Njigba was viewed as a prime first-round target. It’s not that the Bears would’ve picked the Ohio State receiver with the first pick. Instead, he was considered a target if Chicago traded back.

The Bears have since traded back to No. 9, but Smith-Njigba has lost steam as a potential Bears first-rounder. The acquisition of DJ Moore has pushed wide receiver down the Chicago Bears’ list of draft needs.

Indeed, the Bears don’t need a wideout as desperately as they did a few weeks ago. Still, that shouldn’t rule out Smith-Njigba as a viable first-round pick for Chicago. He’d be a great selection.

Here are four reasons why.

Wide receiver is now a premium position

The recent explosion in wide receiver salaries has flipped the position from one deep in talent in the middle-to-later rounds to a position requiring more consideration in the first round. The fifth-year option on first-round contracts gives teams more control before a critical receiver hits free agency. Teams forced to chase wideouts like DJ Chark and Juju Smith-Schuster in free agency are doomed to have middling passing attacks.

Jaxon Smith-Njigba would provide the Chicago Bears with an elite talent whose floor is nearly as high as his ceiling. He will be a productive pro, and as long as he stays healthy, he’ll be a bank-buster five years from now. Until then, The Bears can enjoy high-level production on a cost-controlled contract. That matters for clubs in the midst of a rebuild.

The Bears aren’t that deep at wide receiver

DJ Moore changes the top of the Chicago Bears wide receiver depth chart. But he still needs help.

Darnell Mooney is coming back from a serious lower-leg injury. Chase Claypool remains an enigma. Velus Jones Jr. had a forgettable rookie season. Sure, they could all become productive high-level players in 2023. But the Bears can’t bank on that.

Selecting Jaxon Smith-Njigba would give the Bears a surefire No. 2 receiver to complement Moore. He’d be a perfect fit in the slot while Mooney and Claypool jockey for reps on the outside.

Hopefully, the Bears’ current batch of wide receivers all break out in 2023. Adding a player as talented as Smith-Njigba will only enhance the odds that that happens.

If the offseason is really about Justin Fields, give him more weapons

The Chicago Bears have taken strides to help Fields this offseason, but more work is required. They signed Nate Davis to improve the interior of the offensive line, and Moore’s impact on the passing game can’t be overstated. But aside from those two transactions, there hasn’t been another high-impact move on offense that will predictably help Fields in 2023.

The signing of tight end Robert Tonyan is fine. The addition of D’Onta Foreman at running back is decent. But drafting Jaxon Smith-Njigba would be another needle-moving decision on par with the trade for Moore.

Smith-Njigba spent time with Justin Fields at Ohio State. He’d begin his Bears career already having some chemistry with his quarterback. It’s an extremely valuable and understated boost to his overall Bears draft grade.

Fields tossing passes to Moore, Smith-Njigba, Claypool, Mooney and Cole Kmet? Yeah, that sounds like a winning formula.

Jaxon Smith-Njigba may be the best player available at No. 9

GM Ryan Poles has publicly stated that he wanted to remain in striking distance for a “blue player” after trading the first pick. Blue players are the prospects with the highest grades on the Chicago Bears’ draft board.

I think Poles will have a few blue players available when he’s on the clock. Ohio State offensive tackle Paris Johnson Jr. could be one of them. It’ll test Poles’ valuation system, which position he believes is more important to the Bears’ short and long-term success. As an old-school offensive lineman, most assume he’ll pick the tackle. But there’s a chance Smith-Njigba has a higher grade, if he does, he’ll be the choice.

It wasn’t long ago that Jaxon Smith-Njigba was viewed as highly as fellow Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. The latter is already appearing in the top-five picks of 2024 mock drafts. Smith-Njigba was around that range last year this time.

The only thing that’s changed since then is Smith-Njigba’s hamstring injury. It kept him out of most of the 2022 season. But he proved at the NFL Combine and his Pro Day that he’s an elite wide receiver prospect and the best in the 2023 NFL Draft.

If the Chicago Bears feel like they can get by with Larry Borom or another veteran addition for 2023, Smith-Njigba will be the pick.