Jaxon Smith-Njigba sounds like someone who would be pretty excited to be drafted by the Patriots later this month.
6 Rings & Prospect Things: Receivers
Smith-Njigba, a probable first-round pick and possibly the first wide receiver off the board, revealed last month that he met with the Patriots at the NFL Combine, praising Bill Belichick and Mac Jones and saying he “definitely would like playing there.”
On Monday night, Smith-Njigba was in Boston, attending the Red Sox-Pirates game at Fenway Park. Before we get too carried away with thinking Smith-Njigba may have been scouting his future home or anything, we have to point out that the real reason he was there was to watch his older brother Canaan, who was playing in his sixth career big-league game for Pittsburgh.
Nonetheless, NESN’s Jahmai Webster was able to catch up with the younger Smith-Njigba for an in-game interview and asked the 6-foot-1 slot receiver if he’s thought about the possibility of getting drafted by the Patriots, who own the 14th overall pick.
“Oh, most definitely. I’ve loved it here so far,” Smith-Njigba said. “Y’all have treated me with just great respect and showed me a good time. We’ll see. Maybe I’m here in a few months.”
Of course, you would expect a potential high pick like Smith-Njigba to have nice things to say about any team picking in the top half of the first round, but it’s still encouraging to hear if you’re a Patriots fan.
The Patriots seem to have a good amount of interest in Smith-Njigba as well, with Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer recently saying on the “Greg Bedard Patriots Podcast” that New England held “extensive” private meetings with Smith-Njigba and Buckeyes teammate Paris Johnson (an offensive tackle also projected to go in the first round) at Ohio State’s Pro Day.
The Patriots have also been linked to fellow wide receivers Zay Flowers, Jordan Addison and Quentin Johnston, all of whom are expected join Smith-Njigba in the first round come April 27.
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