Originally posted June 26 2023 at 18:32.
12 Team, ½ PPR
1 QB, 2RB, 3WR, 1TE
A player that could have immediate impact, generational talent, form the trio of doom with DK and Lockett. Yeah yeah yeah.
Back in 2021, we all saw what Jaxon Smith-Njigba can do in college to trash teams like Tulsa, Akron, and Michigan, but the question is: can he be THAT guy when Seattle already has two THAT guys? JSN played in just 3 games in 2022 and was sidelined twice with the same hamstring injury. Surgery wasn’t needed (or wouldn’t help) so he elected to sit the rest of the season and not risk another injury, despite his team making to the CFP. I don’t blame him, if I had an injury that sidelined me twice in the same season, I’d sit it out and rest on my 2021 stats and hope some idiot team would take me first round and pay me.
The problem with taking JSN here is that you don’t have a proven QB, you have Geno Smith. Smith has turned in ONE good season in his 10 year career, but that’s not really a fair statement. From 2015-2021, Smith played in just 15 games, and started 5, 3 of those coming in 2021 with Seattle. But that didn’t dispel Seattle from starting him in 2022 and looking like geniuses for dumping Wilson.
And what a great year Smith had, turning in a top 10 performance and making his first Pro Bowl. But let’s be real here, if Geno would’ve been a disaster, Seattle would’ve had #1 or 2 pick on top of the 5, and would’ve taken Young or Stroud. JSN would be on another team and we’d be talking about “rebuilding” the Seahawks, instead of moving forward with a career backup who’s going to turn 33 this year.
Bottom line is it’s all going to depend on JSN’s hammy holding up, if he can adjust to the speed and physicality of the NFL, and Geno Smith turning in multiple career seasons into his 30s, ala Rich Gannon. If Geno can throw for another 4000yd 30TD season, JSN will have every chance he can get to be that third guy in the trio of doom.
FANTASY STANDPOINT — Seattle Seahawks Wide Receivers
DK Metcalf: Round 3, ~pick 30+.
JSN: Round 5/6, ~ pick 58.
Tyler Lockett: Round 5/6, ~pick 62.
I’ve noticed DK falling the past couple weeks, I’ve seen him even make it to round 4 recently. JSN has been pretty steady mid round 5/6. Lockett has lost a few spots, but nothing major. General consensus says that JSN will eat into Lockett’s share and DK is the clear #1. JSN’s upside is pretty big considering he’ll be used primarily in the slot and will get some very favorable matchups. Again, all this assuming Geno Smith can become the next Rich Gannon and string together back-to-back seasons of career high in passing yards.
UP NEXT
We’ll take a look at some of the other rookie WR’s around the league, and a closer look at Lamar Jackson, and why you shouldn’t expect him to be slinging the ball.
Nick Zaza
You can find all of Nick Zaza’s fantasy analysis HERE.
Nick Zaza can be reached on Twitter @KingNickZaza and by email nick@cassandrafuture.com.
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