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The Seattle Seahawks made Jaxon Smith-Njigba the first wide receiver taken in the 2023 NFL Draft. That’s a tall order for the former Ohio State standout, especially because he is returning from a hamstring injury.
At his best, he could be a star in the National Football League. He had 95 receptions for 1,606 yards and nine touchdowns in 2021. That sample size is enough for the Seahawks to include him in their talent-laden receiving corps.
Smith-Njigba isn’t new to playing with other elite wideouts. The Buckeyes had many of them in recent years, with Chris Olave, Marvin Harrison Jr., and 2022 Offensive Rookie of the Year Garrett Wilson.
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This time, he will play with DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett. Metcalf is Seattle’s big-target receiver, using his height and size to collect 90 receptions for 1,048 yards and six touchdowns. Meanwhile, Lockett had 84 receptions for 1,033 yards and nine touchdowns.
Adding Smith-Njigba unlocks another dimension of the Seahawks’ offense. Opposing defenses will have a harder time checking them because all of them can have a big game.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba Will Line Up in the Slot
Lockett lined up in the slot several times for the Seahawks last season. However, Smith-Njigba will likely take over in the slot because of his ability to retrieve balls in traffic. He is better when contested, making him an ideal option in the middle of the field.
Smith-Njigba has enough speed to get past linebackers and gain yards after the catch. He makes good use of his break points to divert defenders and has soft hands to complete catches. Smith-Njigba also maintains his focus when tracking long throws.
His injury will still be a concern unless proven otherwise. In some ways, picking him is still a gamble because most of his work happened in one season. But the Seahawks are in for a good treat if he does turn out to be great.
The Seahawks are playing in one of the toughest divisions in the NFL. They will be going up against elite pass rushers like Aaron Donald and Nick Bosa at least twice a year. But having Jaxon Smith-Njigba at the slot gives Geno Smith a dependable option when the blitz is coming.
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