Seahawks' Jaxon Smith-Njigba: 'Legitimate Sleeper' for Rookie of the Year?
Despite the team having yet to play its first preseason game, the hype surrounding Seattle Seahawks rookie receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba is already underway.
ESPN recently published notes from their NFL insiders Dan Graziano and Jeremy Fowler following their visits to 15 teams during training camp. According to Graziano, the buzz from the Seahawks' training camp suggests that Smith-Njigba could emerge as a dark-horse candidate for Offensive Rookie of the Year.
"I think the Seahawks have real plans for him and, he fulfills what they believe is a real need for them in their WR corps. I think Smith will throw him the ball if he's open. And I think he's a legitimate sleeper candidate for Offensive Rookie of the Year," ESPN writes.
Smith-Njigba might have entered training camp with some rust, given that he played in just three games last year at Ohio State, catching only five passes for 43 yards. However, the former Buckeye has put those concerns to rest by garnering attention with his performance so far during training camp.
As he begins his debut NFL season with the Seahawks, Smith-Njigba will look to become the second consecutive Ohio State receiver to be named Offensive Rookie of the Year, following in the footsteps of New York Jets' 2022 first-round pick Garrett Wilson, who earned the award last year. Additionally, the rookie receiver has the potential to etch his name in Seahawks history by becoming the first player in franchise history to win the Offensive Rookie of the Year accolade.
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