2023 NFL Mock Draft: C.J. Stroud or Bryce Young Number One?
By Evan Bachman
6. Chicago Bears: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Ohio State
The biggest need for the Bears is no secret whatsoever and that is more weapons for Fields to throw to. Fields has emerged in recent weeks with some great performances, but they need to add more receivers to the mix for this offense to reach its potential next season.
In this 2023 NFL Mock Draft they reunite Fields with Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who was a freshman for Fields’ last season at Ohio State.
Unfortunately, Jaxon Smith-Njigba has been limited to just 62 snaps this season as he’s been dealing with a hamstring injury. What he showed last season however is more than enough to make him a top half of the first round selection.
The best way to sum up Smith-Njigba’s game is he’s simply always open. One of the most important traits for route running is suddenness and most definitely has that. His ability to stop on a dime and change directions like it’s nothing is second to none.
He has impressive body control, and ability to come down with contested catches. In his first career game at OSU, he made a spectacular catch on a throw that was essentially a throwaway. On the play he stretched out to get his hands on the football and then contorted his body to somehow get a foot down inbounds for a TD.
He’s also dynamic with the ball in his hands. This YAC ability was on display in the Nebraska game last season. He hauled in a short pass, made one guy miss with a dynamic move in the open field, and then exploded down the sideline and outran the DBs to the endzone.
7. Seattle Seahawks (From DEN): Myles Murphy, Edge, Clemson
It’s quite remarkable what the Seahawks have managed to pull off as with Geno Smith playing at a high level and a phenomenal draft class from last season they’re very much in the playoff picture while also having a high draft pick via the Russell Wilson trade.
In this 2023 NFL Mock Draft scenario they add a talented edge rusher to help out their defense. Myles Murphy is a former five star recruit in the 2020 class and has been a productive player for the Tigers defense since arriving on campus.
Murphy has an ideal frame for an edge rusher as he’s 6-foot-5, 275 pounds with long arms. The best component to his game is power as he can win with bull rushes in pass rushes and toss lineman around in the run game.
He also has some bend and dip around the edge in his pass rush arsenal. All of these tools make him project well to the NFL as a pass rusher.