Jaxon Smith-Njigba Fantasy Overview

2024 Summary

Production & Fantasy Finishes

Smith-Njigba broke out with 100 catches, 1,130 yards, and 6 TDs. Only six WRs beat his catch total.

He flashed a high-end fantasy ceiling with four top-10 PPR finishes. That includes an overall WR1 finish in Week 9.

He mixed in five finishes at WR45 or worse, ultimately settling as the WR10 on the season. He dropped to WR20 in points per game.

Usage & Role

Smith-Njigba beat D.K. Metcalf in target share (24% to 22%).

Per PFF, JSN ran 83.6% of his routes from the slot. No surprise there.

He saw 64.6% of his targets either behind the line of scrimmage or within nine air yards.

Efficiency Metrics

Among 51 WRs with 80+ targets, the 23-year-old ranked:

• 6th in catch rate
• 16th in PFF receiving grade
• 19th in yards after catch per reception
• 27th in yards per route run
• 37th in yards per catch

Interestingly, JSN ranked just 64th in ESPN’s Open Score. He finished 37th in Overall Score, which also factors in Catch and Yards After Catch performance.

Offensive Context

The 2024 Seahawks supplied a friendly environment.

Seattle ranked fifth in pass rate and fifth in pass rate over expected. Under one-and-done OC Ryan Grubb, Geno Smith stayed healthy and set a career high with a 70.4% completion rate.

JSN also benefited from Tyler Lockett’s sharp decline. The veteran saw 7.2 targets per game in 2023 but sank to 4.3 in 2024.

Injury History

Smith-Njigba missed 10 games in college with a 2022 hamstring injury. He underwent wrist surgery in August of 2023 but managed to return in time for Week 1.

Last year, he played all 17 games and ranked 12th among WRs in snaps.

2025 Expectations

Projected Role & Competition

JSN totaled 137 targets last year, so it’s tough to project a bump even after the D.K. Metcalf trade to Pittsburgh.

Cooper Kupp steps into the No. 2 WR role, but for how long? The former Ram hasn’t played more than 12 games in a season since 2021. He’s now 32.

There’s not much target competition elsewhere. Rookie TE Elijah Arroyo carries dynasty appeal because of his athleticism, but we’re not buying him as a major 2025 factor.

Seattle's WR depth (Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Jake Bobo, and rookies Tory Horton and Ricky White) is among the shakiest league-wide.

Supporting Cast

Smith-Njigba will break in a new QB following the trade of Geno Smith.

In steps Sam Darnold, fresh off a breakout 2024. The former Round 1 pick excelled with 7.8 yards per attempt and a 76.5% adjusted completion rate.

He ranked 14th among 36 qualifiers in on-target throw rate (77.7%). The No. 1 finisher? Smith, at 81.8%.

Now, can Darnold excel outside of an excellent scheme and supporting cast? Those questions add some uncertainty to JSN’s ‘25 outlook.

Coaching & Offensive Scheme

New OC Klint Kubiak brings two years of experience as a play-caller.

His 2021 Vikings ranked:

• 12th in yards
• 14th in points
• 16th in rush attempts
• 11th in pass attempts

His 2024 Saints finished:

• 21st in yards
• 24th in points
• 21st in rush attempts
• 16th in pass attempts

Notably, his units ranked 8th (2021) and 4th (2024) in pace.

In 2021 – with Kirk Cousins at QB – the Vikings ranked 21st in pass rate and pass rate over expected.

Last year, in a much less stable situation, New Orleans finished 19th in pass rate; 25th in pass rate over expected.

Expect a balanced offensive approach in Seattle — and fewer passes than last year.