Seahawks WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba: Betting Odds Favorite for OROY?
First-round rookie receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba is a leading candidate to make history for the Seattle Seahawks franchise as their first AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. Running back Kenneth Walker III received ballot support for the award but did not win last season. Quarterback Russell Wilson won Pepsi Rookie of the Year in 2012.
And as the "best receiver in his class," NFL.com ranked Smith-Njigba as the No. 7 candidate for 2023 Offensive Rookie of the Year.
"The good news is that Smith-Njigba will play with a quarterback in Geno Smith coming off a career year with 4,282 yards and 30 touchdowns passing. The bad news is that he's going to have to share targets with DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett," writes NFL.com.
"Despite the competition for targets, Smith-Njigba has good size (6-foot, 198 pounds) with great ball skills and could evolve into a legitimate weapon as a volume target with red-zone potential, even in his rookie season."
Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson is NFL.com's pick for frontrunner with the best odds to win the prestigious award this season. A running back has not won NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year since 2018 when Saquon Barkley took home the honor. Receivers have won the award in back-to-back years (Ja'Marr Chase and Garrett Wilson).
Smith-Njigba was an All-American for the Ohio State Buckeyes in 2021 and capped off that year with an incredible 347 yards and three touchdowns on 15 catches against Utah in the Rose Bowl.
The Seahawks are taking the field at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center with an exciting roster and a very healthy attitude after an offseason of changes. Coach Pete Carroll looks to build on a 9-8 season and a Wild Card berth with key additions, including first-round picks cornerback Devon Witherspoon and Smith-Njigba.
Both enter training camp with high expectations and Seattle hopes Smith-Njigba's polished route running and contested-catch ability will transition to the NFL immediately. So far, so good. In the first couple days of training camp, Smith-Njigba has turned heads with his quickness, acceleration and highlight-play ability.
Can Smith-Njigba be a consistent third receiver option alongside Metcalf and Lockett this season? The awards come later. But the climb to achieve? It all starts now, with training camp.
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