Seahawks WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba can end drought lasting nearly 30 years

There's a lot to like about the Seattle Seahawks offense heading into 2023 and rookie wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba is a big part of the equation. The Seahawks drafted the former Ohio State Buckeye to man the slot position alongside stud wideouts Tyler Lockett and D.K. Metcalf. The trio should form one of the NFL's […]

Evan Winter NFL Managing Editor
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Apr 27, 2023; Kansas City, MO, USA; Ohio State wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba on stage after being selected by the Seattle Seahawks twentieth overall in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft at Union Station. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

There's a lot to like about the Seattle Seahawks offense heading into 2023 and rookie wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba is a big part of the equation.

The Seahawks drafted the former Ohio State Buckeye to man the slot position alongside stud wideouts Tyler Lockett and D.K. Metcalf. The trio should form one of the NFL's scariest three-headed-monsters at WR that will be tough to cover.

It's a pick-your-poison type situation for whatever defense the Seahawks are playing during any given week. If you stress coverage to one of the vets, JSN is going to be open on a very consistent basis and vice-versa. 

Overall, it makes more sense to take chances with the rookie than two proven players in Lockett and Metcalf. That gamble, so to speak, is exactly why Smith-Njigba has a perfect opportunity to be just the second Seahawks rookie receiver to record 1,000 receiving yards or more in their first year.

The only rookie receiver to ever record more than 1,000 yards in Year 1 is former first-rounder, Joey Galloway, and he did it all the way back in 1995. He ended up with 67 receptions for 1,039 yards, and seven touchdowns that year. All three stats were top-25-worthy among all pass-catchers that year.

The NFL was certainly in a different era, then. With all the rule changes and passing game evolution, it's easy to see why Smith-Njigba can easily end this drought in 2023.

Featured image via Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports