NFL Draft Grades 2023: Re-grading the Seattle Seahawks' draft one year later

Two Seahawks rookies took home a B

Jerrick Reed II - Safety/special teamer (Sixth round, pick 198)

Most people who watch the NFL might not have any clue who Jerrick Reed II is, but he easily exceeded his sixth-round draft status in the sneakiest of ways. Instead of getting a ton of defensive reps, the rookie stood out as a special teamer. Not only was he third on the Seahawks in special teams tackles with 9, but he was also named to the Professional Football Writers of America's All-Rookie team. This even though he suffered a torn ACL in November.

Reed may or may not get many snaps on defense in 2024 either; much depends on his recovery. He certainly has the tenacity to want to be on the field and then hit receivers as hard as possible once they catch the ball. Maybe new head coach Mike Macdonald can get the most out of Reed and turn him into a serviceable safety who sees a lot of reps in Macdonald's three-safety sets. Something about Reed screams to not underestimate him.

Jaxon Smith-Njigba - Wide receiver (First round, pick 20)

At the very beginning of last season, Smith-Njigba, likely though little fault of his own, might have been heading to a D grade or worse. He was ill-used in Seattle's scheme. Former offensive coordinator Shane Waldron seemed to think that Smith-Njigba was the second coming of Dee Eskridge and that meant sending JSN out on short routes only. Thankfully, over the course of the season that changed.

In fact, Smith-Njigba became so trusted by Seattle's quarterbacks that he was given chances to change the outcomes of games in the fourth quarter. Perhaps Smith-Njigba's best and most important play came late against the Philadelphia Eagles when he ran a post route for a 29-yard touchdown. After having just 62 yards receiving through the first four games, Smith-Njigba had four games later in the year with at least 60. He should explode in 2024.