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
- Carolina Panthers (via CHI) — QB C.J. Stroud, Ohio State
- Houston Texans — QB Bryce Young, Alabama
- Arizona Cardinals — EDGE Will Anderson Jr., Alabama
- Indianapolis Colts — QB Anthony Richardson, Florida
- Seattle Seahawks (via DEN) — DT Jalen Carter, Georgia
- Detroit Lions (via LAR) — EDGE Tyree Wilson, Texas Tech
- Las Vegas Raiders — QB Will Levis, Kentucky
- Atlanta Falcons — EDGE Myles Murphy, Clemson
- Chicago Bears (via CAR) — CB Devon Witherspoon, Illinois
- Philadelphia Eagles (via NO) — DT Calijah Kancey, Pitt
- Tennessee Titans — Paris Johnson Jr., Ohio State
- Houston Texans (via CLE) — Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Ohio State
- New York Jets
- New England Patriots
- Green Bay Packers
- Washington Commanders
- Pittsburgh Steelers
- Detroit Lions
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Seattle Seahawks
- Los Angeles Chargers
- Baltimore Ravens
- Minnesota Vikings
- Jacksonville Jaguars
- New York Giants
- Dallas Cowboys
- Buffalo Bills
- Cincinnati Bengals
- New Orleans Saints (via SF)
- Philadelphia Eagles
- Kansas City Chiefs
