Seahawks' Jaxon Smith-Njigba Issue Fixed? 'Deep Crosses All Day!' Says Michael Bumpus

Seattle Seahawks rookie Jaxon Smith-Njigba hasn't started his season in a blaze of glory, and former NFL receiver Michael Bumpus thinks he has found the resolution.

When the Seattle Seahawks selected Jaxon Smith-Njigba in the first round of the draft this past April, many thought he would have a big impact on Shane Waldron's offense.

Yet through the first month of the season, Smith-Njigba hasn't been that at all. But is it all his fault?

Former NFL receiver Michael Bumpus thinks he knows how to best use Smith-Njigba's skillset.

“I’m watching film and he’s best when he’s working his way across the field," Bumpus said on Bump and Stacy on Seattle Sports. "So I’m looking at these deep crosses and I go you’ve gotta keep feeding him deep crosses and (quarterback Geno Snith [sic]) is great at throwing those footballs on time and in those little pockets. 

"Send JSN on more deep crosses. I think that’s the way you get him involved. Get him in space in the middle the field. Teams have been hitting the Hawks in the middle of field, specifically the Rams. Let’s give them a taste their own medicine. I think that’s how you get him involved … Deep crosses all day.”

Smith-Njigba has had a slow start to the season for Seattle / © Junfu Han, USA TODAY

Ok, so Bumpus thinks he's figured out the issue with Smith-Njigba, who only has 12 receptions for 62 yards through four games. No doubt there is a way to get the explosive rookie involved and the Seahawks have likely used the bye week to find ways to utilize Smith-Njigba's skillset.

So the game plan seems simple: Get Smith-Njigba on some deep crosses and let his athletic ability in open space do the work.

While Smith-Njigba hasn't been a large factor yet, the scary thing is that Seattle is 3-1 this season and the offense is averaging 27.8 points per game. One can only imagine the sorts of things Waldron's offense can do if it gets Smith-Njigba up and running.