Jaxon Smith-Njigba is amazing, and even better than expected after the Seattle Seahawks chose him in the first round of the 2023 NFL draft. While many wondered how good he could be after the team traded DK Metcalf to the Pittsburgh Steelers this past offseason, any concerns are now long forgotten.
Through the first 11 games of the 2025 season, JSN has caught 80 passes for 1,313 yards. That last number represents the best season in franchise history as far as receiving yards. He passed Metcalf's 1,303 yards from 2020 during Week 12. The receiver will also probably obliterate Seattle's record of 100 catches in a season, too.
The miracle is that no other Seahawks wide receiver has come close to Smith-Njigba's numbers this season. He gets a higher target rate of his quarterback's passes than any other team in the league. Opponents know the ball is going to JSN, and they still cannot slow him down.
Devon Witherspoon is just like all Seahawks fans when watching Jaxon Smith-Njigba
He became the first receiver in NFL history to have 75-plus receiving yards through the first 11 games of a season. This came a week after JSN set the same record through the first 10 games. He will probably set it again in Week 13.
It isn't just fans that are in awe of Jaxon Smith-Njigba either. His teammates feel the same way.
Cornerback Devon Witherspoon was asked about JSN's performance after Week 12, when the wide receiver had eight catches for 167 yards and two touchdowns against the Tennessee Titans. The corner needed eight words to say something all Seattle fans can agree with: "I’m just a fan watching just like y’all..."
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The odd part is that Smith-Njigba isn't the fastest receiver in the NFL, nor is he the biggest. He is certainly fast and isn't small, but lots of other receivers are bigger and faster. Perhaps none have JSN's route-running skills, though. Likely none have his lower-body strength either.
One of the Seahawks' receiver's underrated aspects is that when he has the ball, he isn't easy to bring down. This is partly due to him having the legs of a running back rather than a receiver. This was proven after one catch against the Titans when he caught the ball, started running backward, and was taking the defender with him.
Of course, the Seattle Seahawks cannot afford to have Jaxon Smith-Njigba get injured. That would cripple the offense's efficiency. Even more, what would Devon Witherspoon have to watch as he is standing on the sidelines when the offense has the ball?