As it turns out, the only thing keeping Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba from greatness was former offensive coordinator Shane Waldron. JSN's first OC with the team appeared not to know how to use the receiver. Thankfully, the last two have.
This is especially true of new OC Klint Kubiak, who took the young receiver and helped turn him into a superstar. Through the first half of the season, Smith-Njigba leads the NFL in receiving yards by 99 yards, even though he has played one fewer game than the next closest receivers.
JSN was especially terrific in October, playing three games, catching 24 passes for 417 yards and three touchdowns. Due to his excellence, the league has given the wide receiver its NFC Offensive Player of the Month award. It could be his first of many accolades this year.
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba wins NFC Offensive Player of the Month for October
He is obviously playing like an All-Pro. Not only is he putting up massive numbers, but he is also particularly important to the Seahawks. His 819 receiving yards represent 46.3 percent of the team's total. That is great for the player, but maybe not good for them.
As excellent a route-runner as Jaxon Smith-Njigba is, the team does need better and consistent production from other receivers because later in the season, and hopefully, into the postseason, opponents will focus even more on the Seattle Seahawks' best receiver.
Perhaps rookie Tory Horton will continue to trend toward making the most of his targets, and more attention to JSN could help veteran Cooper Kupp find more space in the middle of the field. Ultimately, it is consistently moving the chains and not explosive plays that are going to win a Super Bowl.
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba is, of course, capable of working over the middle and catching the short passes. He will do that in any kind of offensive situation. Even if defenses adjust to what the receiver is accomplishing and push his routes shorter, he is still going to be effective. The rest of the offense might become even more so.