The Seahawks drafted Jaxon Smith-Njigba (JSN) in the first round, 20th overall, in the 2023 NFL Draft. His first-rounder status, coupled with a great college career and fantastic skill set, led to pretty lofty expectations for him heading into the 2023 fantasy football season. Many people might even tell you that they were disappointed by his overall body of work last season, however, I disagree with them.
JSN was the WR3 on the Seahawks last season, stuck behind athletic freak of nature DK Metcalf and Seahawks veteran Tyler Lockett. The Seahawks head coach last year, Pete Carroll, is known to be a run-first play caller/head coach, which made it difficult for JSN to see consistent targets. Compared to other rookie WRs like Puka Nacua, Zay Flowers, and Rashee Rice, who were all their teams number-one WRs early on in the season, JSN wasn’t afforded that same opportunity.
Still, JSN was durable. He played in all 17 games and caught 63 passes for 628 yards and four touchdowns. Heading into this season, JSN has moved up the depth chart. He is the Seahawks number two WR, and there is a new coaching staff in town that will almost assuredly be more pass-game friendly than what we saw in 2023. This change in coaching should benefit JSN, DK Metcalf, and starting QB Geno Smith, who many also feel was a disappointment last season.
JSN is being drafted this season as early as round seven and as late as round nine. That is pretty good value for a player who, in all likelihood, is the WR4 on your fantasy roster. He has the potential to be a WR2 for you in this new-look offense in Seattle, and I predict that he will catch 85 passes for 900-1000 yards and 8 TDs. You should feel very comfortable drafting him at his current ADP and look for him to have a breakout season in his 2nd year in the NFL.
