Ex-Buckeye WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba Named 'Perfect Nightmare'

Former Ohio State Buckeyes receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba could be a sleeper fantasy football pick this season.

As he proved at Ohio State, Jaxon Smith-Njigba can be a handful for opposing defenses to cover. Look no further than Smith-Njigba's career-defining game against Utah in the Rose Bowl. The then-sophomore receiver broke records while totaling 347 yards and three touchdowns on 15 receptions in a 48-45 win. 

Despite only playing three games in 2022 due to a hamstring injury, the ex-Buckeye went No. 20 overall in the NFL Draft to the Seattle Seahawks, pairing with him with veterans D.K. Metcalf and Tyler Lockett. Despite the rookie receiver just getting back to nearly 100 percent, he is already showing flashes through OTAs and mandatory minicamp. 

With just a month until training camp kick-off, some already believe Smith-Njigba is set to be one of the top fantasy football options among the rookie class.

"Smith-Njigba is a perfect fit for the Seattle offense," said Sports Illustrated. "And while he might start the season a little slow as most Seahawk receivers do, he could be a league-winner down the stretch."

Around here, we hesitate to toss around the word "perfect.'' But aside from that ... what makes SI think that Smith-Njigba is such a sure thing? It has a lot to do with the players who will be drawing attention around him, including the aforementioned Metcalf and Lockett.

"Smith-Njigba should factor into the offense as a fringe WR2 and solid WR3/flex play fairly quickly," SI continued. "Geno Smith loves to throw the ball around the yard as much as he can, and while he has two Pro Bowl targets on the outside in Metcalf and Lockett, the rookie wide receiver is going to be a matchup nightmare in the slot for opposing defenses."

And again, we will pull back, as asserting any NFL rookie as a 'matchup nightmare' may be a bit premature. But to SI's credit, there may not be a better situation in the entire NFL for a rookie pass catcher than the one sitting in Seattle. And health, assuming Smith-Njigba should be able to take full advantage of it.

Not "a nightmare.'' Not "perfect.'' But quite possibly a real weapon for the Seahawks - and for the rookie's fantasy owners.

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