Seahawks Got 'A Great One' in WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Says Former Coach
The Seattle Seahawks used their two first-round selections in the draft to good effect. Illinois cornerback Devon Witherspoon was taken with the No. 5 pick, bolstering the secondary, while Geno Smith got a serious weapon at the No. 20 pick with Ohio State receiver in Jaxon Smith-Njigba.
The former Buckeyes receiver was regarded by many as the only "bonafide" first-round talent in the entire receiver class, and the Seahawks got him with their second first-round pick. Despite only playing three games last year due to a hamstring injury, Smith-Njigba has talent to burn.
His former coach, Ryan Day, spoke on Seattle Sports' Brock and Salk and detailed thre kind of player the Seahawks are getting.
"Coach (Pete) Carroll and I were talking during the pro day, and I was bragging on Jaxon a little bit," Day said. "And (Carroll) certainly recognized the talent. I think the Seahawks have really done a great job in their evaluation process, and they got a great one in Jaxon. And I think that because he really didn't play much this year, folks forgot how talented he really is and how dynamic he is. I can't wait to see him get going here this fall."
The hamstring injury that limited him to just three games last season likely playing a part in his "fall," as he could've been selected in the top 10 had he played a full season in 2022. But in 2021, Smith-Njigba was nearly unstoppable, totaling 1,606 receiving yards and nine touchdowns from his 95 receptions. That'll work.
The rookie now joins a franchise with two stud receivers in D.K Metcalf and Tyler Lockett (both surpassed 1,000 receiving yards last year) and could form a devastating trio.
While there are some detractors of Smith-Njigba, given he has had only one good season in college (though what a season it was), the Seahawks clearly know the talent he possesses. What will also help him is having Metcalf and Lockett, along with running back Kenneth Walker III. Opposing defenses will have hard time dealing with those to be able to shift coverages to slow Smith-Njigba down.
The Seahawks are no doubt excited about Smith-Njigba's potential, and if Day's comments are anything to go by, Seattle fans will love watching the receiver do his thing next year.
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