Buckeyes WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba To Become 'Missing Link' In Seahawks Offense
Jaxon Smith-Njigba caught everything except a cold while lining up in the slot for Ohio State.
Slant routes? Easy.
Go patterns? Go catch him on the highlight reel.
Checkdowns to crossing routes? Check that box, too.
No, the Seattle Seahawks didn't need to add in the receiver that set the program's single-season yard record back in 2021, but when the board falls where arguably the top receiver in the class lands in your lap, it's best not to pass on the opportunity.
"He's a guy who can play inside in the slot right now," Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said Thursday evening. "He's got those kinds of skills, and he's shown us everything that we need to see. We'll still use the flexibility because we love Tyler in there as well, and DK gets inside—we do move our guys—but he really has a chance to be a big factor right there.
"That's what we were in pursuit of in the draft. That's why we were so excited to have gotten him. We thought he was the best guy in this draft to fill that role."
Drafted 20th overall, Smith-Njigba now joins a receiving corp that's been missing its third pass-catcher in Seattle. The Seahawks primarily run their offense with a three-receiver set and already feature a pair of Pro Bowl talents in DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett.
Metcalf, a physical freak with home run-caliber speed, is the team's deep threat. Lockett, a similar play to JSN, primarily works in the middle of the field. But Seattle has missed the ability to connect on short routes that could translate into massive gains.
Enter Smith-Njigba, who averaged 16.9 yards per reception in 2021 and often was a nightmare to tackle in the open field. With Lockett being one of the league's more versatile weapons, JSN should come in as the team's starting slot receiver and work wonders as a security blanket for quarterback Geno Smith.
“I’m super excited,” Smith-Njigba told local reporters following the draft. “I’m a big fan of those guys, and for me to be in that room, I know how I am, and that is just going to push me to compete even harder and find my way amongst those guys. I am looking forward to lining up next to them.”
Seahawks general manager John Schneider was pleasantly surprised to see a draft day tumble of Smith-Njigba. Seattle had targeted the Texas native as a potential option last year after watching him light up the stat sheet with a 347-yard, three-touchdown performance in the Rose Bowl against Utah.
Schneider thought entering the new season that after becoming a staple in the Big Ten that Smith-Njigba would likely be a top-10 lock with another productive season. Then came the hamstring injury that limited him to just three games, thus opening the door for a potential dip on draft night.
Seattle traveled to Columbus for the Buckeyes' Pro Day — mainly to get a better feel on Smith-Njigba. After walking away impressed, Schiender changed his opinion and made it a point to target the receiver if he were to fall in range with their second first-round selection.
“We see Jaxon fitting in as that third guy with those guys that will complement them and make them better,” Carroll said. “He can play right now. He’ll be able to do everything that we want him to do.”
Scouts viewed Smith-Njigba as a prospect with No. 1 receiver potential. In Seattle, he'll be a part of a trifetca which finished 12th in passing en route to an NFC playoff berth under Smith.
The receiver position isn't a weak point for the Seahawks as both Metcalf and Lockett often find themselves surpassing the 1,000-yard marker on the regular, but their success won't intimidate Smith-Njigba. Sharing a space with premier playmakers is typical for the Seahawk's newest weapon.
In 2021, JSN split reps with Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave, both of whom went on to become first-round picks and 1,000-yard receivers last season as rookies. This past year, he shared a locker room with Marvin Harrison Jr. and Emeka Egbuka, two projected first-round targets in next year's way-too-early mock drafts.
"I'm excited to get in that room and learn and watch those guys," Smith-Njigba said. "I know a little bit, for sure, what they do on the field and what they're about on the field, but excited to be in the present with them and get to work with them."
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