Bleacher Nation NFL 2023 Mock Draft: Texans Land Bryce Young a Wide Receiver

The Bleacher Nation NFL 2023 Mock Draft will be a running mock draft that spans between now and round one of the NFL Draft. Each of the 31 picks (Miami forfeited their first-round pick due to tampering) will get a dedicated post. Here’s how it’ll work:

  • Every pick in the Mock Draft gets its own post. We will do one or two picks per day.
  • We will link back to previous posts with a running draft recap.
  • This feature will not include trades and will cover the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft.
  • The Texans are on the clock in the Bleacher Nation NFL Mock Draft …

    The Pick Is In

    WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba — Ohio State

    The Fit

    We’ve got the Texans taking Bryce Young with the second pick of the 2023 NFL Draft and then pairing him with Jaxon Smith-Njigba at No. 12.

    After drafting their next franchise quarterback, the Texans used their second first-round pick in this draft to land Ohio State’s Jaxon Smith-Njigba.

    Scouting Report

    Jaxon Smith-Njigba is a skilled route runner and called the best wide receiver of the recent bunch to come out of Ohio State by 2022 NFL Rookie of the Year candidate and former Ohio State teammate Garrett Wilson.

    Smith-Njigba was hurt for much of 2022, but he hauled in 95 passes for 1,595 yards and nine touchdowns in 2021. JSN’s fantastic 2021 season earned him a 91.7 PFF overall grade and the 12th spot on their 2023 big board.

    JSN’s top-end speed could be better, but his fluid route running makes up for it and makes him an ideal slot wide receiver prospect in the NFL. He’s strong enough to work over the middle and can shed most arm tackles after the catch. His hands are soft and reliable and were displayed at last month’s scouting combine.

    Final Thoughts: If the Texans go QB at No. 2, drafting that QB a wide receiver at No. 12 is a logical fit. Jaxson Smith-Njigba looks like the most well-rounded wide receiver prospect in this year’s draft class and could very well be there at No. 12 with a run on quarterbacks and pass rushers eating up much of the top ten picks.

    Bleacher Nation’s 2023 NFL Mock Draft

    1. Carolina Panthers (via CHI) — QB C.J. Stroud, Ohio State
    2. Houston Texans — QB Bryce Young, Alabama
    3. Arizona Cardinals — EDGE Will Anderson Jr., Alabama
    4. Indianapolis Colts — QB Anthony Richardson, Florida
    5. Seattle Seahawks (via DEN) — DT Jalen Carter, Georgia
    6. Detroit Lions (via LAR) — EDGE Tyree Wilson, Texas Tech
    7. Las Vegas Raiders — QB Will Levis, Kentucky
    8. Atlanta Falcons — EDGE Myles Murphy, Clemson
    9. Chicago Bears (via CAR) — CB Devon Witherspoon, Illinois
    10. Philadelphia Eagles (via NO) — DT Calijah Kancey, Pitt
    11. Tennessee Titans — Paris Johnson Jr., Ohio State
    12. Houston Texans (via CLE) — Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Ohio State
    13. New York Jets
    14. New England Patriots
    15. Green Bay Packers
    16. Washington Commanders
    17. Pittsburgh Steelers
    18. Detroit Lions
    19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
    20. Seattle Seahawks
    21. Los Angeles Chargers
    22. Baltimore Ravens
    23. Minnesota Vikings
    24. Jacksonville Jaguars
    25. New York Giants
    26. Dallas Cowboys
    27. Buffalo Bills
    28. Cincinnati Bengals
    29. New Orleans Saints (via SF)
    30. Philadelphia Eagles
    31. Kansas City Chiefs

    written by

    Patrick grew up in Chicago's Bridgeport and Garfield Ridge neighborhoods before moving to the Western Suburbs of Chicago before eventually relocating to the Las Vegas area with his family in 2023. He started with Bleacher Nation in 2021 and has spent time as a Staff Writer and on the Chicago Blackhawks beat. He is currently a writer and editor at Bleacher Nation covering the Chicago Bears and the NFL at large and the author of the Bleacher Nation Newsletter. Patrick is a member of the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA).

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