NFL analyst names Seahawks WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba as most-poised for breakout season in 2024
Seahawks receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba‘s rookie year could’ve been spectacular if not for a broken wrist in the middle of training camp. Once he became healthy again, it then took him awhile to grow comfortable in the Seattle offense.
Still, Smith-Njiga, the former Ohio State star, managed 63 catches for 628 yards. Imagine what he can do in a second season, albeit one with a new coaching staff.
Bucky Brooks, a scout/analyst for NFL Network, recently named his All Offense-All Breakout Team for 2024. He wrote, “the players listed below have yet to receive any All-Pro or Pro Bowl honors, but I believe they could garner consideration with their play in the coming campaign.”
Smith-Njigba was the first receiver on the list, which should be good news for Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith. Brooks wrote of the receiver:
“The No. 20 overall pick from last year could enjoy a breakout campaign in new offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb’s high-flying attack. With defenses intent on slowing down DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett, JSN could flourish whipping CB3s alongside Seattle’s established pass catchers.
“The smooth route runner posted modest production (63 catches, 628 yards and four scores) as a third option in 2024, but those numbers could surge in an offense that features more concepts designed to get the ball to a dangerous slot receiver on the move.”
Other receivers on the Brooks list were Khalil Shakir of the Bills and Packers wideout Jayden Reed.
Of course, Brooks isn’t the only one predicting that Smith-Njigba, the young Texan, will enjoy a breakout season. Analysts look at the new group of Seahawks coaches and believe the offense will produce a stat guy. Mike Macdonald, the new defensive-minded Seahawks head coach, hired Ryan Grubb as the new offensive coordinator. Grubb came over from the Washington Huskies, which ran innovative passing offenses with the likes of Michael Penix Jr. and Rome Odunze. Both were top 10 picks in the 2024 Draft.
Macdonald bragged on Smith-Njigba earlier this month as the Seahawks finished minicamp.
“JSN’s a great player and [we’re] expecting big things out of him,” Macdonald told reporters. “He’s had a great offseason, works his tail off. His practice habits are awesome. Moving ability is pretty elite. I think we got a really cool plan for him.”
Macdonald added “He’s a guy that we can focus our offense around, along with other guys. Tyler Lockett is still a great player. DK Metcalf, phenomenal player. The runners, Noah Fant. But he’s definitely going to be a massive piece of what we’re trying to do offensively.”
A year ago, Smith-Njigba split his time between outside receiver and slot. According to ESPN Stats & Info, the budding Seahawks star lined up on the outside on 38 of his catches. Where he lines up usually determines the coverage. Out wide draws man-to-man, while the slot usually dictates a zone.
In interviews during minicamp, JSN sounded like he enjoyed an outside role on the field.
“Being on the outside, I feel like it’s more of a one-on-one matchup and I love one-on-one matchups,” the Seahawks receiver said. “Being on the inside, there’s some one-on-one matchups, a lot of zone and just reading the defense and sitting in the zone, which I feel like I’m pretty good at. But when it’s one-on-one or being on the outside, it’s more playground a little bit and that’s what I like. I like the challenge.”
The next challenge is training camp. Seahawks veterans report July 23. if you’d like to check out the rest of Brooks All Breakout Team, click it here. And you can catch up with what’s going down in the NFL by checking out On3.com coverage here.