Jaxon Smith-Njigba's assessment through minicamp: 'He is a vet already' according to one veteran
The Seattle Seahawks’ 2023 first-round draft pick looks like a veteran on the field.
When the Seattle Seahawks drafted Jaxon Smith-Njigba out of Ohio State, they were looking for a sure-bet No. 3 receiver.
And it looks like the franchise struck gold with the rookie wide receiver already appearing to be playing like a veteran throughout Seahawks minicamp.
"He has treated it like he is a vet already," Seahawks wide receiver D.K. Metcalf during minicamp. "He knows how to run routes, his body, and how to catch. It's really just teaching him the playbook. He's already ahead of the curve of learning the technique that Sanjay (Lal) is teaching. He's just fitting right in with the drills and with the plays that what we're calling.”
The Seahawks for long stretches haven't had a solid slot receiver. With Metcalf and Tyler Lockett, coupled with the savvy route running of Smith-Njigba, it is apparent that the Seahawks believe that the offense is going to be good enough to push Seattle deeper in the NFL Playoffs.
Last year, both Metcalf and Lockett finished with over 1,000 yards receiving. Tight end Noah Fant was third on the team with 50 receptions and 486 yards. That will definitely change in 2023.
But Smith-Njigba will have to take on the challenge of playing well as a rookie without vocal leadership from Metcalf. During the Seahawks minicamp, Metcalf admitted that last year he overstepped boundaries by trying too hard to be a vocal leader. So in 2023, Metcalf said he plans to lead his rookie wide receiver by example as opposed to direct advice.
"I've learned from guys like Bobby [Wagner] and Russ [Wilson], instead of just vocally saying it, just doing it myself," he said. "And if they want to do it along with me they can. If not, they can find their way.”
So naturally Metcalf believes Smith-Njigba, along with the other receivers on the roster, will function as good, competitive, competition throughout the NFL season.
"With all the rookies that we have, from Matt Landers to Dee Eskridge to Cody Thompson to Jake Bobo, everybody's out there competing," Metcalf said. "Dareke Young is another one that have been out there competing every single day. Nobody is going to back down from competition in the receiver’s room. We are all competing. We all want to see each other succeed. That's one thing that's refreshing to see in the receiver room.”
Feature image via Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK.
