Given how much attention DK Metcalf garnered from opposing defenses, there were questions over whether Jaxon Smith-Njigba could replicate last year’s breakout season with Metcalf no longer around this fall.
So far, the 2023 first-round pick has answered those questions in resounding fashion.
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Smith-Njigba has exploded out of the gates with 26 catches for 402 yards and a touchdown through the Seattle Seahawks’ first four games. He ranks second in the NFL in receiving yardage, trailing only Los Angeles Rams wideout Puka Nacua. And along with Nacua, he’s one of just two players with at least 75 receiving yards in each of their first four contests.
What makes Smith-Njigba so effective? Former NFL quarterback Brock Huard made an interesting observation on Seattle Sports’ Brock and Salk, stating that the third-year wideout shares traits with some of the best receivers in Seahawks franchise history.
“Jaxon Smith-Njigba is part Tyler Lockett, he’s part Doug Baldwin, and he’s part Steve Largent,” Huard said. “… He’s got the makeup of all three of those guys. And right now, he’s one of the five best receivers in all the NFL because of it.”
JSN’s double move got the separation pic.twitter.com/vUPCYWbrLC
— NFL (@NFL) September 26, 2025
Here’s what Huard said about Smith-Njigba’s skill set and how it compares to Lockett, Baldwin and Largent.
• Lockett’s deceptive speed: “Like Lockett, he’s got deceptive speed. It’s not this massive amount of turnover. It’s not this hyper quickness. It’s not a long stride. It’s just football speed. … Like, hey man, one on one, he’s going to run by you.”
• Baldwin’s body control: “He’s like Doug Baldwin with his body control. I mean, that deep post last Sunday (against the Saints), unbelievable. The back-shoulder throw (against the Cardinals) – did you see him contorting his body like Doug Baldwin used to do to get in front of the (defensive back) on that? Do you know how hard that is to do full speed? … And he makes it look so silky smooth.”
• Largent’s precision: “Like Largent, he’s got a precision to his game. He’s got such detail. … Every single route has a precision and attention to detail, like Largent used to understand.”
Listen to the full Brock and Salk conversation at this link or in the audio player at the bottom of this story. Tune in to Brock and Salk weekdays from 6 to 10 a.m. or find the podcast on the Seattle Sports app.
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