Jaxon Smith-Njigba Would 'Really, Really Like' Teaming Back Up With Justin Fields

Jaxon Smith-Njigba is looking to follow in Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave's footsteps with a first-round selection in the 2023 NFL Draft.

Last April, the Chicago Bears didn't have a first-round draft pick because they shipped it to the New York Giants for the 11th-overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft — the pick they used to take franchise quarterback Justin Fields.

In the first round of the 2022 draft, three of Fields' former pass catchers in 2019-20 Garrett Wilson, Chris Olave and Jameson Williams were taken with the Nos. 10, 11 and 12 picks, respectively.

The Bears traded the No. 1 pick to the Carolina Panthers March 10, but they still hold the ninth-overall selection in April's draft.

Former Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba said it would be "amazing" to reunite with Fields on the Bears.

"We had a lot of reps together in [the Woody Hayes Athletic Center]," Smith-Njigba said. "So if we're able to do that again in Chicago, I would really, really like that."

Bears general manager Ryan Poles and head coach Matt Eberflus were both in Columbus for Ohio State's Pro Day, getting a first-hand look at Smith-Njigba's skillset, which produced 110 catches, 1,698 yards and 10 touchdowns in 23 games.

The Rockwall, TX. native's first career touchdown may have been one of his most impressive, though, and it came on a throw from Fields.

In week 1 of the 2020 season against Nebraska, Fields rolled out to his right, lofting a pass that Smith-Njigba made a circus, toe-tap catch on, dotting his right foot back inbounds despite his body being in the air out of the back of the end zone.

Smith-Njigba said he "definitely reinforced" his position as one of the top pass-catching options Wednesday and that he would be taken April 27 — the day of the first round of the draft.

"I wish I could definitely get some routes back, but that's always what I think," Smith-Njigba said. "I feel like my elusiveness, my shiftiness played a big part today. That's what I tried to really show. I don't think I was able to show that a lot in the combine, so I just tried to get jiggy."

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