Jaxon Smith-Njigba the Next Great Seahawks WR? 'The One!'
Seattle Seahawks rookie receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba has already hit the ground running this offseason. After being drafted in the first round with the No. 20 pick, the former Ohio State Buckeye has already showcased his talent during OTA's and minicamp.
Smith-Njigba has been receiving high praise from teammates and coaches, but the latest plaudits come from former Seahawk star K.J. Wright, who has given "JSN" some major compliments.
“This dude is going to be the guy that for the next eight years, he’s going to be No. 11 for the Seattle Seahawks,” Wright said on Seattle Sports’ Brock and Salk. “He’s going to be ‘the one.’ We’re talking about the next Doug (Baldwin), the next – I’m not gonna say Steve Largent, but you know, one of those guys. The next great Seahawks receiver. This is gonna be him.”
If Smith-Njigba is indeed "the next Doug," then his career is headed toward success despite how different the journey to the NFL was for these two receivers. Baldwin was a two-time Pro Bowler and Super Bowl champion. He accumulated 6,563 receiving yards and 49 touchdowns in his eight-year career.
With the likes of D.K. Metcalf and Tyler Lockett to learn and grow from, Smith-Njigba is, to some, in the right place to develop his craft.
A hamstring injury halted any progress last season as it restricted him to just three games for the Buckeyes. But in 2021, he caught 95 passes for 1,606 yards and nine touchdowns, and Seattle will be hoping that can translate into the NFL.
It might only be early in his Seahawks career, but Smith-Njigba is already turning heads after fellow receiver Metcalf already called him a "vet" as he goes about his business with aplomb.
Seahawks fans will be happy with Smith-Njigba if he has the type of career Baldwin did, but in truth, the hype makes it feel like the former Ohio State star could be destined for more.
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