Former Ohio State football player Jaxon Smith-Njigba was a first-round pick of the Seattle Seahawks back in the 2023 NFL Draft. He didn't have the strongest finish to his collegiate career, opting to only play three games for the Buckeyes in 2022 in order to nurse a hamstring injury back to health.
Since joining the Seahawks, he has been their third receiver. He has been mostly utilized in the slot, just as he was for the Ohio State Buckeyes. Last season, he broke out, catching 100 passes for 1,130 yards and six touchdowns. It showed just how dangerous he can be.
Heading into next season, Smith-Njigba might now end up being the top receiver on the Seahawks. Seattle decided to release Tyler Lockett, and DK Metcalf has requested a trade. Smith-Njigba was clearly caught off guard by Metcalf wanting out of Seattle.
Former Ohio State football player Jaxon Smith-Njigba reacts to DK Metcalf asking for a trade
The former Buckeye seemed surprised when Metcalf decided that he wanted a trade.
Ayooo wtf
— JSN (@jaxon_smith1) March 5, 2025
Smith-Njigba was clearly blindsided by the request. He played well with Metcalf next to him, and he is someone who plays better when he has other receivers who can also do damage. We've never seen JSN as the only good receiver on his team. This year could be the first time that it happens.
If Smith-Njigba is able to show that he can expand his game, he could show that he is a true number-one receiver. If he has a big year as the top receiver, he could be in line for a big rookie extension in a couple of years. That would be his ultimate goal.
The Seahawks are still in a transition period. They still need a quarterback who will be playing longer than the next few years, which Geno Smith will likely do. He is likely only going to start for them for perhaps two or three more years.
It'll be interesting to see what kind of numbers Smith-Njigba can put up if the Seahawks do end up trading Metcalf.