Jaxon Smith-Njigba Is One of the Best Wide Receivers in the NFL

We’re only two weeks into the NFL season, and the Seattle Seahawks sit at 1–1. Most of the conversation has centered around their elite defense—and understandably so—but I don’t think we’re talking enough about one player in particular...

Third-year wide receiver, Jaxon Smith-Njigba.

Over the past year and a half, JSN has developed into one of the most complete wide receivers in the NFL, and in my opinion, he’s still so underrated. Through the first two weeks of the season, he’s already second in the league in receptions (17) and second in receiving yards with 227. And he’s not even fully in sync with his new quarterback, Sam Darnold, yet.

This production isn’t coming out of nowhere either. Last season, Smith-Njigba had his true breakout year, tying the Seahawks’ franchise record with 100 receptions. But beyond the numbers, it’s how he’s expanded his game. When he entered the league, most viewed him as a pure slot guy, but now he's just so much more than that.

Just last week, he helped seal the game for the Seahawks when he beat Jalen Ramsey downfield, which is something he is consistently doing now. He’s gone from being a reliable possession receiver to a downfield threat who can take over a game whenever he wants.

So if you’re not ready to call Jaxon Smith-Njigba a top 10 wide receiver in the NFL, I don’t know what to tell you. He’s improved every year, and there’s no reason to think he won’t continue to get better this season. I wouldn’t be surprised if Seattle locks him up with a mega-extension next summer as he continues to solidify himself as one of the league’s best wide receivers. I'm thinking he could even be in that top 7 range.

So keep sleeping if you want, but JSN isn't breaking out; he has arrived, and he's been here for a while.