Jaxon Smith-Njigba shocked us lengthy earlier than he even stepped onto the sector. As talked about above, he was the primary receiver picked within the first spherical by John Schneider and Pete Carroll. Actually, the Seattle Seahawks haven’t drafted a WR within the first spherical since 2001 (Koren Robinson). That was the longest energetic streak within the NFL with no WR within the first spherical. Inexperienced Bay (Javon Walker, 2002) now tops that record.
Smith-Njigba broke different “legal guidelines” of our entrance workplace after we take a look at his Mix/Professional Day numbers. The workforce has at all times had its thresholds for draft picks. Nevertheless, WR has at all times been the place the place the workforce has had the least standards. Principally, the workforce picks WRs who run the 40-yard sprint within the 4.4s vary. They solely picked three receivers who didn’t run a 4.4 – Kenny Lawler (4.64), Chris Harper (4.50) and John Ursua (4.56). Do not forget that Lawler and Ursua have been seventh-round picks and Harper was a fourth-rounder.
JSN solely ran the 40-yard sprint at Professional Day (bear in mind, these should not dependable numbers like these on the Mix), and the numbers ranged from a excessive 4.4 to a low 4.6, with a consensus of 4.52s. Due to this fact, it could be honest to mission that the true quantity would exceed the 4.4s worth.
If he didn’t impress within the 40-yard sprint, we are able to’t say the identical in regards to the agility drills. He ran a brief shuttle of three.93s (97th percentile) and a three-cone drill of 6.57s (96th percentile). For comparability, former Seahawks participant Doug Baldwin, who’s underrated by the league, had a brief shuttle of 4.26s and a three-cone drill of 6.56s.
With these numbers and watching his tape, it was simple to mission JSN as a machine within the slot. However, as a Seahawk, he surprisingly confirmed extra as an outdoor receiver than taking part in inside.
Let’s overview his rookie season!
Stats
Nearly all of his snaps got here within the slot when in comparison with huge (456 vs. 214). In just one sport out of the sixteen he performed did he line up extra on the surface than on the within. That was in Week 7 towards the Cardinals when he was 16 vs. 22.
Finishing his numbers, he had 90 targets for 63 receptions, 628 yards, and 4 TDs. He earned 29 first downs, compelled six missed tackles, and gave his QB a 95 ranking when focused.
The place was it higher than we anticipated?
As acknowledged originally of this text, JSN was projected to be a slot-only participant coming into the NFL and wouldn’t be a deep risk. He produced very effectively as an outdoor receiver. If we break down the receiving zones into: behind the LOS, 0-9 yards, 10-19 yards, and 20+, most of his yards got here deep (170, plus 3 TDs). That is glorious, since within the NFL you need to discover methods to maintain your opponent guessing.
He traces up on the high of the display and is adopted by the CB. As well as, the security is double-marking him. When he realizes that the security is giving an excessive amount of respect to the deep risk, he takes benefit of the area left and makes the catch.
He makes use of a vertical launch and the CB reacts by making ready to mark deep. JSN runs a slant and makes the vital reception.
As soon as once more he assaults the surface of the CB and when he commits to defending him, he comes inside. The great play doesn’t finish there. JSN units his sights on the again of the sector to carry the security and provides him area to obtain in the course of the sector in a vital play for the victory towards the Titans.
In the event you advised me that JSN would give us a win with a deep catch and a contested reception, I might doubt it. On this play, the Eagles have two safeties deep downfield, however when the snap comes, one of many safeties drops downfield and focuses on the backfield. This leaves the WR in a 1v1 state of affairs with the deep security distant from the play. He wins the route and makes the catch together with his fingertips to provide us the win in an unimaginable sport.
The place was it worse than we anticipated?
One of many first damaging surprises was his drops. At Ohio State he was synonymous with security, however he had 8 drops in his freshman season, with 11.3% and was the fourth-worst receiver in that class.
I don’t even like to recollect this horrible loss towards the Ravens, however let’s transfer on. This play was on third down and JSN had the ball in his palms to transform, however he was already fascinated about turning to run and ended up dropping the ball.
Smith-Njigba is a prolific route runner. Nevertheless, he didn’t give us any free classes on releases and routes. On this play, he runs a extra rounded route, as a substitute of constructing a 90-degree reduce (as he ought to be). This causes him to lose timing, as he additionally doesn’t decelerate, and permits the DB to react and virtually make the interception.
What can we mission for 2024?
Ryan Grubb labored with three glorious receivers in Washington: Rome Odunze, Jalen McMillan and Ja’Lynn Polk, just like our group of DK Metcalf, Tyler Lockett and now JSN. If I have been to attract a comparability between the previous Huskies, I feel he’ll use Jaxon in an analogous strategy to McMillan.
Along with attacking the sector in depth, McMillan was answerable for working the center of the sector. JSN have to be a nightmare attacking the backs of the LBs. On this play, one of many offensive routes forces the LBs to advance and he takes benefit of the area between them and the safeties.
This play was very effectively designed and allowed JSN to make use of one other of his strengths: yards after the catch. He’s despatched in movement to the sideline, indicating a man-mark. In the meantime, Colby Parkinson (we are going to miss him) runs a “defend” route to guard JSN’s route. The WR runs a whip route and makes the catch. He has an unimaginable capacity to change from receiver to ball-carrier whereas trying downfield to achieve extra yards.
The offense ought to run a number of screens and JSN ought to be an vital a part of that. Final yr he already confirmed that he has this capacity and, after so lengthy, we have been in a position to threaten with any such play. The development is for issues to enhance with Grubb, however it will likely be a problem for the OL (as we mentioned within the Olu Oluwatimi x Nick Harris article).
