Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba took the NFL by storm in 2025, skyrocketing to the top of the league's pass-catcher hierarchy with a dominant season. He led the NFL in receiving yards, functioning as the engine of a Super Bowl-winning offense.
Somehow, NFL decision-makers are still doubting him. ESPN released its ranking of the league's top ten wide receivers, as voted on by NFL coaches, scouts, and executives. JSN took the third spot, which is more than fair after his breakout season. But one voter had him outside of the top ten, and another anonymous coordinator said, "He's not the elite outside player those top guys are."
According to Jeremy Fowler, "That was a common refrain from voters: When game-planning, Smith-Njigba doesn't strike fear in coaches like some others do."
NFL coaches can keep doubting JSN. He'll just torch their defenses again in 2026.
Seattle Seahawks' Jaxson Smith-Njigba is somehow still underrated
One common criticism has followed Smith-Njigba since before he was drafted. Scouts labeled him as a "slot-only" receiver, questioning his ability to hold up on the outside. It's part of what caused him to fall to the back half of the first round in the 2023 NFL Draft.
While those criticisms refuse to disappear, they haven't limited the receiver's impact for the Seahawks. NFL teams are using more condensed formations than they have in previous years, blurring the lines of traditional receiver roles. A typical "X" receiver isn't as necessary today as it was a decade ago.
But Smith-Njigba has already proved that he can play on the outside. He lined up on the outside on 73.6% of his pass snaps, according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required), in 2025. No matter where he was deployed, the Seahawks star was able to create separation.
In focusing on restrictive labels, these NFL decision-makers are ignoring what makes JSN great. His fluid route running and impeccable consistency lift the Seahawks' offense in a way few other players could. He has firmly established himself among the league's elite wide receivers.
We can't complain about JSN's placement as the third-best receiver in the NFL on ESPN's list. But the continued narrative that he can't get it done on the outside is baffling.
An anonymous AFC executive in ESPN's article said, "Smith-Njigba is super talented, but this is the first year he really played outside. If he does it again and plays well, he can jump to the top."
Apparently, JSN needs to repeat his 2025 performance to finally earn the league's respect.
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