Seattle Seahawks second-year wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba is an obvious breakout candidate in his sophomore season despite being in a receiving corps that still has DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett and in an offense that figures to lean more on the running game than new offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb did at the University of Washington. In his first year in the league in 2023, Smith-Njigba had 63 catches for 628 yards and four touchdowns in 17 games. No player stood out more than JSN during spring workouts and minicamp, although Metcalf and Lockett weren't always on the field with him. He was downright dominant at times, though, and head coach Mike Macdonald said "we're expecting big things out of him." The 22-year-old has his fantasy ceiling capped as long as Metcalf and Lockett are healthy, but fantasy managers still shouldn't mind rostering him as a WR4/flex.
Seattle Seahawks second-year wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (shoulder) left Wednesday's practice at mandatory minicamp with a shoulder issue, but head coach Mike MacDonald indicated it's not a serious injury. Receiver Laviska Shenault Jr. (toe) also left practice early after injuring his toe. It's possible that Smith-Njigba is held out for the rest of minicamp as a precaution, but the 22-year-old should be ready to rock at the end of July for the start of training camp. Despite being behind both DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett on the receiving depth chart in his rookie campaign in 2023, Smith-Njigba impressed with 63 receptions for 628 yards and four touchdowns in 17 games played. The former first-rounder didn't see much downfield work, though, and will face a second straight season as the WR3 in Seattle. Consider him a WR4/flex in fantasy with upside for more in Year 2.
Seattle Seahawks new head coach Mike Macdonald said "his practice habits are awesome" when discussing wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba's big day at organized team activities this week. The feeling inside the organization was that Smith-Njigba really improved in that regard as his rookie season progressed, along with his wrist healing later in the year. After Seattle selected him with the 20th overall pick last year out of Ohio State, the 22-year-old caught 63 of his 93 targets for 628 yards and four touchdowns in 17 games (three starts). While those numbers might have been a bit disappointing for some given his draft pedigree, you also have to remember he did it with both DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett ahead of him on the receiver depth chart. Seattle may be impressed with his work ethic, but it's probably going to take an injury to one of Metcalf or Lockett to take the next step for fantasy managers.
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba caught three of his five targets for 14 yards in Sunday's win over the Arizona Cardinals. The receptions were tied with tight ends Will Dissly and Colby Parkinson for the team lead but made for a quiet end to a modest debut season for the Ohio State product. Selected 20th overall in the 2023 draft, there were hopes that Smith-Njigba would replicate the first-year successes of his former college teammates Garrett Wilson and Christian Olave. As it was, Smith-Njigba proved to be firmly entrenched as the third receiver on Seattle's depth chart and was probably lucky to see the amount of work that he did. His production was also hindered by the routes designed for him, as his average depth of target of 5.8 yards was among the lowest in the league. His rookie year will conclude with 63 receptions for 628 yards and four touchdowns in 17 games.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba Ready For Rematch Against Arizona
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba saw a season-low two targets in Week 17. The one catch he made resulted in a 12-yard touchdown, salvaging an otherwise forgettable outing. Working behind veterans DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett (toe), Smith-Njigba never had the big rookie breakout that fantasy football players were hoping for in 2023. His best game of the season came in Week 7 against the Arizona Cardinals, when he caught four passes for 63 yards (his season-high, tied once) and a touchdown. Metcalf was absent from that contest but he will be starting in Week 18 when the Seahawks and Cardinals square off again on Sunday. Arizona's secondary is exploitable but their run defense is the worst in the league, so it is likely that Seattle leans on the run to the detriment of their pass catchers. Smith-Njigba is on the field often enough to warrant taking a chance on in DFS lineups but managers in a Week 18 championship game should not bank on the aforementioned breakout game occurring in the season finale.
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba was targeted just twice in Sunday's 30-23 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. The rookie made one reception in the game for a 12-yard touchdown. Smith-Njigba's other target came on a wonderfully timed gimmick play that fell apart. In motion before the play, quarterback Geno Smith flipped Smith-Njigba the ball almost as soon as he took the snap himself but the receiver muffed the exchange. The play initially looked like a fumble recovered by the Steelers but it was ultimately ruled an incomplete forward pass. Smith-Njigba never had the fabled rookie breakout in 2023 but had several outings where he was a worthwhile flex start lending room for optimism about what 2024 will entail. In Week 18, the Seahawks visit the Arizona Cardinals where Smith-Njigba will again be fighting for attention behind veterans DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett.
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (knee) was limited in practice to open the week but was able to log full sessions on Thursday and Friday. In Week 16, an errant touchdown attempt took the rookie out of the back of the end zone and he slid hard into the wall. He had the misfortune of banging his leg just under the padded portion of the wall and took his time getting up but was able to return for Seattle's next possession and finished the day with six catches for 61 yards. In Week 17, the Seahawks take on the Pittsburgh Steelers who will be missing safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (knee). Fellow wide receiver DK Metcalf (back) has a questionable tag for Sunday, and if he is ultimately ruled out then Smith-Njigba would see an uptick in targets and production. Under the current assumption that Metcalf will be ready to play, Smith-Njigba projects to be a low-end WR3 in PPR leagues.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Jake Bobo Upgrade To Full Practice
Seattle Seahawks wide receivers Jaxon Smith-Njigba (knee) and Jake Bobo (knee) both upgraded from a limited practice on Wednesday to a full practice session on Thursday, so both wideouts should be active for a Week 17 contest versus the visiting Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday. Fellow wideout DK Metcalf is dealing with a new back injury and missed practice on Thursday. In the event that Metcalf is out or limited this weekend, Smith-Njigba would be an even more attractive WR3/flex in starting fantasy lineups. The 21-year-old rookie from Ohio State has been solid in his first NFL season with 59 catches, 602 yards and three touchdowns in 15 games, but he has yet to have a true breakout game while serving as the No. 3 in Seattle all year behind Metcalf and Tyler Lockett.
Seattle Seahawks wide receivers Jaxon Smith-Njigba (knee) and Jake Bobo (knee) were both limited in Wednesday's practice due to knee injuries. Smith-Njigba, a first-round pick back in the spring, has been pretty steady in his first NFL season as the No. 3 wideout behind DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett, catching 59 of his 86 targets for 602 yards and three touchdowns. He's only had one game of double-digit targets, though, and hasn't exceeded 63 receiving yards in a single game. Metcalf and Lockett are healthy heading into Week 17 against the Pittsburgh Steelers, too, so no added targets should be expected this weekend. As long as JSN doesn't have a setback with his knee injury at practice later this week, he should play on Sunday and serve as a WR3/flex for fantasy managers still chasing hardware in their league.
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba caught six passes for 61 yards in Sunday's 20-17 victory over the Tennessee Titans. It was the eighth time this season that he saw at least six targets and the fourth time he had at least 60 receiving yards. The rookie survived an injury scare when an overthrown touchdown attempt led him out of the end zone and he slid hard into the wall. He was able to rejoin the offense on their next possession and looked unencumbered the rest of the day. Smith-Njigba was held without a touchdown again but did make big plays on Seattle's touchdown drives. He started the Seahawks' 96-yard drive that bridged the third and fourth quarters with a 20-yard reception. Facing third-and-14 on Seattle's game-winning drive, he turned a quick slant upfield for 18 yards to keep the possession alive. Smith-Njigba is stuck behind DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett on the depth chart and will be a desperation flex play against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 17.
