OSU WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba Had 'Great Conversation' with Giants Ahead of NFL Draft

Former Ohio State star Jaxon Smith-Njigba is considered to be one of the top wide receivers in the 2023 NFL draft class, and he's already being courted by a rising team.

Smith-Njigba told reporters after Ohio State's pro day on Wednesday that he had dinner with representatives from the New York Giants, and things went well.

"It was great. Great dinner, great conversation, great people and great coaches," he said. "I feel like they're on the come-up, you've seen it last year [by] them making the playoffs, doing their thing. I definitely loved meeting with them. We had a great conversation and a great time, so, happy I got to be able to do that."

The Giants are in need of a star receiver after no player on the team recorded 1,000 receiving yards last season. They re-signed Darius Slayton, who led the team with 724 yards last season, and traded for Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller. New York also signed former Indianapolis Colts wideout Parris Campbell, but it made a significant change by releasing Kenny Golladay after his disappointing two-year tenure with the team.

If the Giants are hoping to draft Smith-Njigba, they might need to trade up from the No. 25 pick. In the latest draft big board from B/R's NFL scouting department, the former Buckeye is ranked as the No. 2 receiver and No. 12 overall player in the class. He was also pegged as the "best slot receiver" as well as the "most pro-ready" at the position.

Smith-Njigba made a name for himself during his breakout sophomore campaign in 2021, when he racked up 95 catches for 1,606 yards and nine touchdowns. He put up those numbers while playing alongside 2022 first-round pick receivers Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson, the latter of whom went on to win NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year.

Unfortunately, a hamstring injury limited Smith-Njigba to only three games this past season. He appears to be fully recovered, as Nathan Baird of Cleveland.com reported that he ran a 4.53 40-yard dash in his lone attempt on Wednesday.

As much as the Giants might want him, the interest appears mutual on both sides.

"I would love to be in the Big Apple, in New York," Smith-Njigba said. "It would be a blessing, a dream come true."