Seahawks Select WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba At No. 20

The first wide receiver is finally off the board. The Seahawks have used pick No. 20 on Ohio State wideout Jaxon Smith-Njigba.

Even while playing alongside 2022 first-round picks Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave, Smith-Njigba posted a huge season in 2021, hauling in 95 receptions for 1,606 yards and nine touchdowns. The then-ascending Buckeye was expected to take another step in 2022 as the top receiver on the depth chart, but he was limited to only three games and five catches while dealing with a lingering hamstring injury.

Despite the injury, ESPN’s Scouts Inc. rated Smith-Njigba as one of four wide receivers with a first-round grade (alongside TCU’s Quentin Johnston, Boston College’s Zay Flowers, and USC’s Jordan Addison). The Ohio State product ended up being the first of that grouping off the board, although his selection came a bit later than anticipated.

The Seahawks were reportedly motivated to select a quarterback at some point on Thursday. However, the front office used the fifth overall pick on cornerback Devon Witherspoon, and the team is using its second first-round select on a skill player. This will bolster Geno Smith‘s chances of replicating his stunning 2022 slate, rather than introducing an eventual replacement.

Smith-Njigba generated late momentum to be the first wideout off the board, and instead of heading to a team with a clear need at the position, he will join one of the NFL’s best receiving pairs. The latest Buckeye receiver standout to be a Round 1 choice, Smith-Njigba spent much of his time as a C.J. Stroud slot target.

The one-year Big Ten wonder will join a talented wide receivers corps that also includes D.K. Metcalf and Tyler Lockett. After the Seahawks have not received much from 2021 second-round pick D’Wayne Eskridge, the team doubled down to give Smith another weapon alongside the Metcalf-Lockett duo.