Cooper Kupp 2.0? ESPN Analysts Have Lofty Comparison for Buckeyes Jaxon Smith-Njigba

According to former NFL GM Louis Riddick, Jaxon Smith-Njigba compares closely to one of the league's best wideouts, Cooper Kupp
In this story:

Former Ohio State Buckeyes star Jaxon Smith-Njigba might be the most desired wide receiver in the 2023 NFL Draft.

And while his recent NFL comparisons have been nothing the sneer at, with names like Adam Theilen, Robert Woods, Jarvis Landry and (slower?) CeeDee Lamb all coming from various scouts.

However, one former NFL GM, ESPN's Louis Riddick, has much loftier expectations for Smith-Njigba, recently comparing him to Super Bowl LVI MVP and 2021 NFL Offensive Player of the Year, Cooper Kupp.

“Think about Cooper Kupp," Riddick said. "Think about how Cooper Kupp is used in LA. And think of bigger, maybe slightly bigger, just as fast if not faster and maybe more pliable, more athletic, more fluid player who will block just as well. That may be what you’re getting in Jaxon Smith-Njigba, which I think 32 teams would take if they could get their hands on him.”

Not only was Riddick bullish on Smith-Njigba, but ESPN's resident NFL Draft Expert, Mel Kiper Jr. was as well.

In fact, before the injury that cost him his season, Kiper had Smith-Njigba ranked as the No. 6 overall prospect in the entire draft. 

“I think [he was] the sixth overall player on the big board back in August," Kiper said. and then he had the hamstring. He had only a handful of catches after having 95 the previous season. Everybody talks about that Utah game in the Rose Bowl, that Utah game where he had 15 catches and the three touchdowns and all that greatness. They’re like ‘oh he was a one-game wonder.’ He’s not.

"Now he did get free releases, they did have [Chris] Olave, they did have Garrett Wilson. I get all that. But his hand-eye coordination is spectacular, he’s silky smooth, he’s deceptively quick and fast. Olave and Wilson raved about this kid"

So how high will Smith-Njigba ultimately go? That remains to be seen. 

With other strong wide receiver candidates like Jordan Addison and Quentin Johnston on the board, it is frankly anyone's guess. 

But if Riddick and Kiper are right about Smith-Njigba and his upside, anyone who passes on the former Ohio State star could end up regretting it in a big way. 


Be sure to stay locked into BuckeyesNow all the time!

Join the BuckeyesNow community!

Subscribe to the BuckeyesNow YouTube channel

You can follow Matt Galatzan on Twitter @MattGalatzan

Follow BuckeyesNow on Twitter: @BuckeyesNow_FN

Follow BuckeyesNow on Instagram: @BuckeyesNow_FN

Like and follow BuckeyesNow on Facebook!


Published
Matt Galatzan
MATT GALATZAN

Matt Galatzan is the Publisher of LonghornsCountry.com, AllAggies.com, and the Managing Editor of BuckeyesNow.com and TheGroveReport.com He is also the Editor-In-Chief of RamDigest.com and TexansDaily.com. Galatzan graduated from the University of Mississippi, where he studied integrated marketing communications, with minors in journalism and business administration. Galatzan started in the sports journalism industry under Mike Fisher at DallasBasketball.com in 2014, which at the time was part of the 247Sports network. He also spent two years covering the SMU Mustangs for PonyStampede.com on the 247Sports network. When DallasBasketball.com and CowboysCountry.com moved over to Sports Illustrated's Fan Nation network in 2020, Galatzan followed suit, eventually being taking over as the Managing Editor and Publisher of LonghornsCountry.com and AllAggies.com a year later. Through the years, Galatzan has conducted a handful of high-profile one-on-one interviews to add to his resume — in both writing and podcasting. Some of his biggest interviews have been with Mavs owner Mark Cuban, former Longhorns players Dan Neil and Phil Dawson, and many other recruits, and current/former players for each of the teams he has covered. Galatzan is also a full-time employee in the digital media department for Audacy and KRLD FM's 105.3 The Fan in Dallas, which is the official radio home of the Dallas Cowboys. You can find Galatzan on all major social media channels, including Twitter on @MattGalatzan For any inquiries, please email matt.galatzan@gmail.com