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Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba caught three of his five targets for 14 yards in Sunday's win over the Arizona Cardinals. The receptions were tied with tight ends Will Dissly and Colby Parkinson for the team lead but made for a quiet end to a modest debut season for the Ohio State product. Selected 20th overall in the 2023 draft, there were hopes that Smith-Njigba would replicate the first-year successes of his former college teammates Garrett Wilson and Christian Olave. As it was, Smith-Njigba proved to be firmly entrenched as the third receiver on Seattle's depth chart and was probably lucky to see the amount of work that he did. His production was also hindered by the routes designed for him, as his average depth of target of 5.8 yards was among the lowest in the league. His rookie year will conclude with 63 receptions for 628 yards and four touchdowns in 17 games.
Jan 8, 2024 5:25 AM EST
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba saw a season-low two targets in Week 17. The one catch he made resulted in a 12-yard touchdown, salvaging an otherwise forgettable outing. Working behind veterans DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett (toe), Smith-Njigba never had the big rookie breakout that fantasy football players were hoping for in 2023. His best game of the season came in Week 7 against the Arizona Cardinals, when he caught four passes for 63 yards (his season-high, tied once) and a touchdown. Metcalf was absent from that contest but he will be starting in Week 18 when the Seahawks and Cardinals square off again on Sunday. Arizona's secondary is exploitable but their run defense is the worst in the league, so it is likely that Seattle leans on the run to the detriment of their pass catchers. Smith-Njigba is on the field often enough to warrant taking a chance on in DFS lineups but managers in a Week 18 championship game should not bank on the aforementioned breakout game occurring in the season finale.
Jan 6, 2024 6:06 AM EST
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba was targeted just twice in Sunday's 30-23 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. The rookie made one reception in the game for a 12-yard touchdown. Smith-Njigba's other target came on a wonderfully timed gimmick play that fell apart. In motion before the play, quarterback Geno Smith flipped Smith-Njigba the ball almost as soon as he took the snap himself but the receiver muffed the exchange. The play initially looked like a fumble recovered by the Steelers but it was ultimately ruled an incomplete forward pass. Smith-Njigba never had the fabled rookie breakout in 2023 but had several outings where he was a worthwhile flex start lending room for optimism about what 2024 will entail. In Week 18, the Seahawks visit the Arizona Cardinals where Smith-Njigba will again be fighting for attention behind veterans DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett.
Jan 1, 2024 6:59 AM EST
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (knee) was limited in practice to open the week but was able to log full sessions on Thursday and Friday. In Week 16, an errant touchdown attempt took the rookie out of the back of the end zone and he slid hard into the wall. He had the misfortune of banging his leg just under the padded portion of the wall and took his time getting up but was able to return for Seattle's next possession and finished the day with six catches for 61 yards. In Week 17, the Seahawks take on the Pittsburgh Steelers who will be missing safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (knee). Fellow wide receiver DK Metcalf (back) has a questionable tag for Sunday, and if he is ultimately ruled out then Smith-Njigba would see an uptick in targets and production. Under the current assumption that Metcalf will be ready to play, Smith-Njigba projects to be a low-end WR3 in PPR leagues.
Dec 30, 2023 6:24 AM EST
Seattle Seahawks wide receivers Jaxon Smith-Njigba (knee) and Jake Bobo (knee) both upgraded from a limited practice on Wednesday to a full practice session on Thursday, so both wideouts should be active for a Week 17 contest versus the visiting Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday. Fellow wideout DK Metcalf is dealing with a new back injury and missed practice on Thursday. In the event that Metcalf is out or limited this weekend, Smith-Njigba would be an even more attractive WR3/flex in starting fantasy lineups. The 21-year-old rookie from Ohio State has been solid in his first NFL season with 59 catches, 602 yards and three touchdowns in 15 games, but he has yet to have a true breakout game while serving as the No. 3 in Seattle all year behind Metcalf and Tyler Lockett.
Dec 28, 2023 8:32 PM EST
Seattle Seahawks wide receivers Jaxon Smith-Njigba (knee) and Jake Bobo (knee) were both limited in Wednesday's practice due to knee injuries. Smith-Njigba, a first-round pick back in the spring, has been pretty steady in his first NFL season as the No. 3 wideout behind DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett, catching 59 of his 86 targets for 602 yards and three touchdowns. He's only had one game of double-digit targets, though, and hasn't exceeded 63 receiving yards in a single game. Metcalf and Lockett are healthy heading into Week 17 against the Tennessee Titans, too, so no added targets should be expected this weekend. As long as JSN doesn't have a setback with his knee injury at practice later this week, he should play on Sunday and serve as a WR3/flex for fantasy managers still chasing hardware in their league.
Dec 27, 2023 10:32 PM EST
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba caught six passes for 61 yards in Sunday's 20-17 victory over the Tennessee Titans. It was the eighth time this season that he saw at least six targets and the fourth time he had at least 60 receiving yards. The rookie survived an injury scare when an overthrown touchdown attempt led him out of the end zone and he slid hard into the wall. He was able to rejoin the offense on their next possession and looked unencumbered the rest of the day. Smith-Njigba was held without a touchdown again but did make big plays on Seattle's touchdown drives. He started the Seahawks' 96-yard drive that bridged the third and fourth quarters with a 20-yard reception. Facing third-and-14 on Seattle's game-winning drive, he turned a quick slant upfield for 18 yards to keep the possession alive. Smith-Njigba is stuck behind DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett on the depth chart and will be a desperation flex play against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 17.
Dec 24, 2023 8:41 PM EST
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba played the hero in Week 15, tracking a deep pass from Drew Lock over his shoulder and pulling the ball in by his fingertips for a 29-yard, game-winning touchdown. The clock has run out for the rookie to have a lasting breakout but he has shown he is still capable of having an impact in fantasy. In Week 16, he will get another shot against the Tennessee Titans who have allowed the sixth-most fantasy points per game to wide receivers and will be missing several starters on defense. Also favoring Smith-Njigba, and the Seahawks in general, will be the return of quarterback Geno Smith (groin) who was absent from Seattle's last two contests. Smith-Njigba is projected to be a borderline WR3/4 and has flex appeal in deeper PPR leagues.
Dec 23, 2023 5:31 AM EST
Wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba caught the game-winning touchdown for the Seattle Seahawks in their 20-17 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday night. The sure-handed rookie tracked a 29-yard strike over his left shoulder and reeled it in by his fingertips, putting Seattle ahead with 28 seconds left on the clock. Smith-Njigba caught all four of his targets in Week 15 for 48 receiving yards and the score. The last-minute effort salvaged his game from a fantasy perspective, as up to that point he had just three catches for 19 yards which would have made for his lowest yardage total since Week 4. With Drew Lock starting again in place of the injured Geno Smith (groin), Seattle's offense took a more conservative approach rather than trying to exploit Philadelphia's porous secondary. The Seahawks should have Smith back for Week 16's game against the Tennessee Titans, but even then Smith-Njigba's value will be capped by his position on the depth chart behind DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett.
Dec 19, 2023 5:42 AM EST
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba has seen 18 targets over the last two weeks and should see a fair amount of work on Monday night. In Week 15 the Seahawks face the Philadelphia Eagles, who are allowing the most catches (15.8) and second-most receiving yards (193.8) per game to opposing wide receivers. The Seahawks will have to lean on the pass to keep up with the Eagles, so there should be plenty of opportunities to go around for Seattle's trio of talented receivers. Expectations will have to be tempered some if Drew Lock is required to step in again for Geno Smith (groin), whose status may not be made clear until pregame warmups. Smith-Njigba should be considered a WR4 in PPR formats.
Dec 17, 2023 5:45 AM EST
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba led the team with seven targets in Sunday's loss to the San Francisco 49ers. Unfortunately, the opportunities did not equate to fantasy success as the rookie finished the day with four catches for 25 receiving yards. Smith-Njigba led the team in targets only one other time, in Week 7 when DK Metcalf was shelved due to injury. Perhaps the extra chances were due to the chemistry developed in the preseason with spot starter Drew Lock who was in for Geno Smith (groin). Smith-Njigba still has not had the big breakout fantasy managers were hoping to see by now but he is getting a fair amount of work, getting five or more targets in all but three games this season. In Week 15, the former Buckeye is a viable flex play against the Philadelphia Eagles, who have allowed the most fantasy points per game to opposing wide receivers in 2023.
Dec 11, 2023 2:58 AM EST
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba set new personal bests in receptions and targets last week, grabbing seven of his 11 looks for 62 yards against the Dallas Cowboys. He nearly had a 30-yard touchdown pass to add to his numbers but the play was overturned on review. In Week 14, the Seahawks face the San Francisco 49ers for the second time in three weeks. In their last meeting, Smith-Njigba was limited to just two catches for 41 yards. Aside from the challenging matchup, Seattle's quarterback situation is in flux as Geno Smith (groin) is questionable for Sunday, which would mean Drew Lock may be in line for a start. Smith-Njigba has evolved into a somewhat stable floor play in PPR leagues but managers should consider Smith's potential absence before relying too heavily on the rookie in Week 14.
Dec 9, 2023 3:28 AM EST
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba's season-high 11 targets led the team in Thursday's loss to the Dallas Cowboys. The rookie ended the night with seven catches for 62 yards. The receptions also represented a new season-high, while the yardage fell one shy of his personal best set in Week 7 and matched in Week 9. Smith-Njigba almost brought in a 30-yard touchdown pass to boot, but it was overturned after review. His production has waned in the last couple of weeks after enjoying a mini-breakout following the Seahawks' Week 5 bye. Thursday's usage was a nice rebound and may signal that more work will come his way in Seattle's remaining games. Another big test awaits in Week 14, however, as the Seahawks have to tangle with the San Francisco 49ers for the second time in three weeks. In their matchup on Thanksgiving night, Smith-Njigba logged two catches for 41 yards.
Dec 1, 2023 4:30 AM EST
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba caught two of three targets for 41 yards in Week 12 against the San Francisco 49ers' swarming defense. The Seahawks face a similar challenge on Thursday against the Dallas Cowboys whose pass defense has been among the league's best in 2023. Not much can be expected of Smith-Njigba in Week 13, but there are a couple of factors that make him worthy of a dart throw. First, JSN saw his second-highest snap share of the season while the Seahawks were trying to keep up with the 49ers in Week 12, a scenario likely to repeat itself against Dallas. Second, if the Cowboys have a vulnerability on defense, it is to slot receivers like the Ohio State product. Starting Smith-Njigba in the first game of Week 13 is a risky play, but it may be a necessary one with six teams on bye.
Nov 30, 2023 2:47 AM EST
Rookie wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba made a highlight reel catch in the third quarter of the Seattle Seahawks' loss to the San Francisco 49ers on Thursday night. Quarterback Geno Smith found his receiver streaking down the right sideline and tossed a bomb ahead of Smith-Njigba, who caught up to the pass and made the play, extending one arm and pulling the ball into his chest as he went to the turf. The catch went for 34 yards and was Seattle's longest play of the night. Smith-Njigba had only two other targets in the game and finished with a total of two receptions for 41 yards. The rookie has shown flashes of brilliance in the last several weeks but the Seahawks' playcalling is simply not making use of the talents at their disposal, Smith-Njigba included. He will be hard to trust in Week 13 with a Thursday night matchup against the Dallas Cowboys coming up next.
Nov 24, 2023 3:30 AM EST
Wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba drew another six targets in the Seattle Seahawks' loss to the Los Angeles Rams in Week 11. The rookie has seen at least five targets in eight of the first ten games of his pro career. In Week 12, the Seahawks have a divisional game on Thanksgiving night against the San Francisco 49ers who lost starting safety Talanoa Hufanga (knee) to an ACL tear in Week 11. The resulting shuffling of San Francisco's secondary will likely pit Smith-Njigba against defensive back Isaiah Oliver who has struggled to cover the slot, giving up 256 yards and three touchdowns. Smith-Njigba's fellow receivers in Seattle, DK Metcalf (toe) and Tyler Lockett (hamstring), are both entering the Week 12 game with no injury designation, limiting the rookie's upside. Even with an encouraging coverage matchup, it is hard to project Smith-Njigba any higher than a WR4/5.
Nov 23, 2023 3:36 AM EST
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba was targeted six times in Sunday's loss to the Los Angeles Rams, making three catches for 40 yards. With Tyler Lockett (hamstring) declared active before the game, Smith-Njigba remained third in line among Seattle's receivers as has been the case all season. Still, the rookie has managed to garner at least five targets in all but two of the Seahawks' games this season and has been more productive since Seattle's early bye. Coming up, the Seahawks welcome the San Francisco 49ers to Seattle on Thanksgiving Day. Given the short turnaround and Lockett's nagging hamstring, Smith-Njigba may be in line for a few more looks than usual, though they may be coming from Drew Lock instead of Geno Smith (elbow, triceps) who missed part of Sunday's game due to injury.
Nov 20, 2023 2:05 AM EST
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba has been enjoying modest success since the team's Week 5 bye. Over the last five games, the rookie has averaged 4.2 receptions and 52.6 yards per game making him a viable flex option in PPR formats, especially for managers experiencing bye-week pinches. In Week 11, the Seahawks are taking on the respectable defense of the Los Angeles Rams, who are limiting opposing receivers to 151.6 yards per game. His appeal in Sunday's matchup is limited but could get a boost depending on the availability of Tyler Lockett (hamstring). Even if he gets some extra looks, Smith-Njigba is likely no more than a WR4 against the Rams.
Nov 18, 2023 6:42 PM EST
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba caught four of his five targets for 53 yards in Week 10. Facing the Washington Commanders' generous defense, there was plenty of work to go around to all of Seattle's receivers. DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett both finished just short of the century mark with enough left over to allow Smith-Njigba his third 50-yard game in the last four weeks. In the first four weeks of the season, the rookie suffered from one of the league's lowest average depth of targets. Since Seattle's bye, though, JSN has been utilized more often and in different ways, making him a modest flex for managers in PPR leagues. He will remain third in line behind Metcalf and Lockett, but is worth holding for spot starts and has shown his worth in case either veteran succumbs to injury.
Nov 13, 2023 12:54 PM EST
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (hip) was removed from the injury report and will play in Week 10 against the Washington Commanders. The rookie wide receiver didn't practice on Wednesday with a hip issue but got in back-to-back full practices on Thursday and Friday, respectively. JSN has recorded at least four receptions in three of the last four games and has scored twice over that same span. He appears to be finding his groove and should be viewed as a WR3, due to the fact that both DK Metcalf (hip) and Tyler Lockett (hamstring) are set to play, against a leaky Commanders' defense in Week 10.
Nov 10, 2023 7:01 PM EST
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