The Houston Texans have two picks in the 2023 NFL Draft, the second and 12th overall selections. Many mocks have them selecting a wide receiver with the 12th pick and it's likely either Quentin Johnston or Jaxon Smith-Njigba will be available.
The Texans signed Robert Woods to a one-year free agent deal but with the uncertainty surrounding John Metchie, the team will be in the market for a wide receiver or two. Maybe they decide to go a different direction with the 12th pick and target wide receivers later in the draft. Many analysts and scouts have stated this year's draft, while deep at the wide receiver position, doesn't have a lot to top end, WR1 type talent.
That said, some believe if there is a WR1 in this class, it's one of either Smith-Njigba or Johnston, perhaps even both. I decided to put together a player profile for each of these players. If I had my choice, it would be Smith-Njigba but Johnston offers a lot in terms of athleticism and upside as well.
I think it's important to surround your young quarterback, whether that be a rookie such as C.J. Stroud or Bryce Young, or they run it back with Davis Mills while they groom a rookie on the bench to take over in 2024. Either of these two receivers could fill that need and would have a great opportunity to learn from the aforementioned Woods.
So without further ado, let's get into the player profiles of these two stud wide receivers, Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Quentin Johnston.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba - WR - Ohio State
Some scouts have said Jaxon Smith-Njigba is the best wide receiver in this class and it’s possible he could go later in the draft than 12 overall or possibly sooner; however, with the Texans’ need at the position, this makes sense.
Smith-Njigba is 6’1″ and weighs about 196 pounds. At the combine, he ran a 4.52, not blazing but adequate. Those numbers don’t really pop but he brings elite quickness and an ability to find open spots. Despite lacking elite-level speed, he’s still able to get downfield, creating separation with excellent route-running ability. He’s also solid in run blocking.
Smith-Njigba’s junior year, 2022, was cut short by a hamstring injury. The injury limited him to just three games, recording only four receptions all season. Additionally, as a freshman, he played in seven games, making ten receptions. It was his sophomore year in 2021 that was extraordinary.
In that 2021 season, Smith-Njigba caught 95 passes for 1,606 (Big Ten record) yards and nine touchdowns, producing the single greatest season in Big Ten history. He also set a Rose Bowl record that season with 347 receiving yards on 15 receptions, earning him MVP honors for the game.
Quentin Johnston - WR - TCU
Quentin Johnston is widely considered the best wide receiver in the 2023 NFL Draft. He has excellent height at 6’3″ and weighs 208 pounds. At the combine, he ran a 40-time of 4.40 as well.
Johnston has all the physical skills and athleticism needed to be a great wide receiver; however, he has shown a propensity for dropping passes and scouts would have liked to have seen more production from him as well.
Additionally, he didn’t run an extensive route tree while at TCU and this is something he’ll need to show he can expand on. Still, with the physical traits, he will possibly be a top-10 selection but could also fall, given the limited production.
Over his final two seasons at TCU, Johnston produced just 86 receptions for 1,505 yards and 11 touchdowns; however, despite the numbers for 2022, he was still a Fred Biletnikoff Award finalist, which goes to the FBS’s top wide receiver in the nation.
For the Texans, adding Johnston to the mix alongside Robert Woods could be a solid duo, giving whoever the Texans' 2023 starting quarterback is, some weapons to work with.