Seattle Seahawks WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba Set for Second-Year Leap Under New Coach?

Seattle Seahawks receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba is entering his second NFL season, and in Ryan Grubb's air-raid offense, could he be set to explode in 2024?

Oct 15, 2023; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11). / Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports

Jaxon Smith-Njigba had a quiet start to his rookie campaign with the Seattle Seahawks, but quickly developed into a consistent contributor for Shane Waldron's offense.

Smith-Njigba had 3+ receptions in every game except two in his first NFL season, and while he didn't have a 100-yard game, there were positive signs that the former Ohio State Buckeye can go to another level in Year 2.

Which brings us to the famous "second-year leap" phenomenon. Now with Ryan Grubb as his offensive coordinator, could Smith-Njigba be set for an increased role in Seattle's offense?

Granted, with the likes of Tyler Lockett and D.K. Metcalf, targets will have to be shared between the trio. But last season, Smith-Njigba finished third among Seahawks for yards (628), receptions (63), targets (93) and touchdowns (4).

Dec 31, 2023; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) / Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports

Among rookie receivers last season, Smith-Njigba finished 10th in yards, ninth in receptions, and eighth in targets and touchdowns. So, there is room for improvement.

Now with Grubb in his ear as coordinator, Smith-Njigba could be about to emerge as a genuine weapon for the Seahawks in 2024? With Lockett in the latter stages of his career and Metcalf easily mentally frustrated during games, Smith-Njigba looms as the one who could take this offense forward.

He had receiving totals of 48, 63, 53, 63, 62, and 61 in games last season and now with Grubb's want to air out the football, perhaps higher totals are on the way.

We have seen receivers in their second seasons be more prominent weapons and Smith-Njigba has all the tools and now the coordinator to take his game to the next level.

In a season where so much is unknown about the Seahawks, Mike Macdonald and Grubb, Smith-Njigba could be the lightning rod that kick-starts the post-Pete Carroll era with a bang.