Seahawks WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba Ready For 'Garrett Wilson-Like' Season?
Being a first-round selection, expectations are high for what Seattle Seahawks receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba can do in his rookie season.
With the Seahawks crying out for consistent production in the slot, Smith-Njigba fits the bill. In his two preseason outings, he's shown his quality, and now, an unfortunate wrist injury puts him in doubt for Week 1 against the Los Angeles Rams.
ESPN broke down all Seahawks rookies' preseason efforts and gave JSN a glowing review with a lofty goal that sees him potentially reaching the heights of his former Ohio State Buckeyes teammate.
"Before suffering a wrist injury that will put his Week 1 status in question, Smith-Njigba was looking more polished and ready to contribute than any Seahawks rookie since Tyler Lockett in 2015," ESPN wrote. "His route-running has been as smooth as advertised, and he's even shown the ability to get behind defensive backs more than his 40 time would suggest. Garrett Wilson-like production might be asking too much, but he'll be a difference-maker in the slot, especially on third down."
Looking at Wilson's rookie season with the New York Jets, he showed out. He amassed 83 catches for 1,103 yards and four touchdowns as he won Offensive Rookie of the Year.
Is that something that Smith-Njigba could replicate? While clearly, the Seattle coaching staff would love that kind of production, there are other mouths to feed on offense, most notably D.K. Metcalf and Tyler Lockett.
But there is no doubt that if the targets come his way, Smith-Njigba has already shown, albeit fleetingly in the preseason, that he can make good things happen. He's totaled six catches for 83 yards in two preseason games.
With Metcalf and Lockett both 1,000-plus yard receivers last season, could Seattle add a third in Smith-Njigba? It's a high and difficult bar to reach, but under the right circumstances, could be achievable.
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