Seahawks Rookie Jaxon Smith-Njigba 'A Vet Already,' Says D.K. Metcalf
The Seattle Seahawks had two first-round picks in the NFL Draft, with many feeling one was used on a steal in Ohio State star receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Coming to an offense already with star power, the rookie could slot straight in.
However, first comes minicamp and training camp to adjust to the system of offensive coordinator Shane Waldron and get used to his new teammates.
But Seahawks Pro Bowl receiver D.K. Metcalf says that Smith-Njigba is already ahead of the curve.
"He's come in and treated it like he's a vet already," Metcalf said. "He knows how to run routes, he knows his body. He knows how to catch, so it's really just teach him the playbook. He's already ahead of the curve of learning the technique that Sanjay's [Lal] teaching, so he's just fitting right in with the drills and the plays we are calling."
Coming into an offense that was ranked ninth for points scored per game last season (23.9), Smith-Njigba comes in as a complementary weapon for quarterback Geno Smith.
Some have doubts over Smith-Njigba's health after he suffered a bad hamstring injury last season that limited him to just three games for the Buckeyes. However, the rookie stated that he feels "ready to go" after playing the cautious game this offseason.
"I think we did it the right way [approaching his injury]," Smith-Njigba said. "I appreciate the training staff and the coaching staff for doing that. It's been a long time since I've really been out there since when I started OTAs, so I feel like we did it the right way, and I appreciate them just slowly building me up, and I feel like we are all ready to go and checked a lot of boxes."
With two star receivers in Metcalf and Tyler Lockett, who are 1,000-yard weapons, Smith-Njigba can help form a true three-headed monster on offense next season.
Many slept on Seattle last year as the post-Russell Wilson era began. But after an impressive year that ended with a playoff appearance, the Seahawks won't be sneaking up on anyone.
The Seahawks have all the weapons to replicate what was accomplished last year, with Smith-Njigba having the potential to stamp his authority on the league early on, if Metcalf's words prove true.
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