Seahawks LOOK: First Glance at Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Zach Charbonnet in Rookie Threads
The Seattle Seahawks are getting into the groove headed into the start of OTAs on Monday. And as the team gets readjusted ahead of what is fixing to be an exciting season, Seattle's 2023 rookie class - a major reason for the anticipation - is still getting used to life in the NFL.
This includes the simple things like receiving what will be their official jersey and number for their rookie season. First-round receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba and second-round running back Zach Charbonnet got to model and show off in their new threads on Saturday, giving fans a first look at what they'll be seeing on the field this season.
Smith-Njigba sported his No. 11 jersey while Charbonnet's reveal showed that he'll be wearing No. 26. Take a look:
Even on a team led by vets on either side, both Smith-Njigba and Charbonnet are expected to receive significant roles on offense next season. This speaks to how highly the Seahawks view them, as the team could've easily gone in other directions during the draft before deciding that they couldn't risk passing up on this offensive duo in the early rounds.
Seahawks coach Pete Carroll even went as far to say that Charbonnet "will be battling" with second-year running back Kenneth Walker III. This could mean many things, but it certainly sounds like Charbonnet won't be relegated to a heavy bench role as a rookie.
"He's so versatile," Carroll said of Charbonnet on Seattle Sports Radio's Bump and Stacy. "He just will fit in and be a great addition. And really, we're going to find out how far he can take it in terms of the receiving part of it. We know he's really good at it. But so is Kenneth, so those guys will be battling."
As for Smith-Njigba, he could find himself competing for Offensive Rookie of the Year in Seattle's offense. Playing alongside elite receivers D.K. Metcalf and Tyler Lockett with Geno Smith tossing the rock, the opportunities could be plentiful for a guy that Carroll said "will be able to do everything."
"We needed another guy to fit in with them," Carroll said. "The competition with the guys that we have here will be wide open, but we see Jaxon fitting in as that third guy with those guys and will complement them and make them better. He can play right now, he will be able to do everything that we want him to do."
The Seahawks and their new rookies will now continue getting prepared for a 2023 season that could hold some major implications for the franchise's future.
You can follow Zach Dimmitt on Twitter at @ZachDimmitt7
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