2023 NFL mock draft: College football is back with a loaded class

4. Chicago Bears: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Ohio State

Jaxon Smith-Njigba only caught one touchdown in the 2020 season when Justin Fields was still with the Ohio State Buckeyes, but the Chicago Bears might love the idea of reuniting these two former Ohio State stars in the Windy City. Smith-Njigba may not be a Ja’Marr Chase-caliber of receiver prospect at this point, but he does have a chance to go high after what we saw from him last season, catching 95 passes for nearly 17 yards per reception with nine scores.

The Bears have Darnell Mooney and a bunch of lottery tickets at the receiver position. There’s really nothing there in terms of a building block. Despite the fact that he’s not the prototypical top-five pick at the position, Smith-Njigba could fill the Bears’ biggest offensive need and continue the Brian Hartline pipeline of stud receivers to the NFL.

5. New York Jets: Jalen Carter, DL, Georgia

The New York Jets are coming off of an absolutely monstrous 2022 offseason. At least in terms of the impact the moves could have on the roster, the Jets did more than almost any other team in the league to make significant changes to the roster. They added Duane Brown and Laken Tomlinson as proven veterans to the offensive line. They drafted former Ohio State star Garrett Wilson at receiver. They signed two big-time tight end prospects. They used first-round picks on cornerback Sauce Gardner and pass rusher Jermaine Johnson.

It would be shocking if things didn’t start turning around with the Jets sooner rather than later. Unfortunately, so much of this team’s development hinges on the development of Zach Wilson, who is now injured. In the meantime, Robert Saleh can keep doing what he does and putting together a strong defense. Adding a playmaker up front like Jalen Carter to a talented defensive front? This would be downright unfair. There are some who feel like Carter may have been the best player on that vaunted Bulldogs defense a year ago.