When Seattle Seahawks general manager John Schneider used the team’s second first-round draft pick last year to select the latest Ohio State star wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, he knew down the road he would be worth the investment.
Little did he know the return would come so quickly in just his season season.
The 6-foot, 197-pound former No. 20 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft reached the 1,000-yard mark during the Seahawks’ 27-24 loss Sunday to the Minnesota Vikings, ending the game with 1,089 receiving yards, 93 catches — both of which rank among the top 10 in the league at 5th and 6th respectively — and 6 touchdowns, which is tied for 20th in the NFL.
“Jaxon’s playing great football for us. [He’s] fighting his tail off — we love him. Happy for him,” Seahawks’ coach Mike Macdonald said of his accomplishment after the game.
Smith-Njigba hauled in 8 catches — tied with running back Kenneth Walker III — for 95 yards to lead Seattle, along with an 18-yard touchdown reception in the second quarter to pull the team with 17-14 just before halftime.