Seahawks' Sam Darnold and Jaxon Smith-Njigba ranking will surprise fans

Sam Darnold might be the happiest person within the Seattle Seahawks organization now that his favorite target, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, is locked up for the next several years. Darnold has solidified himself as the Seahawks quarterback as well, so we will be watching these two hook up for a while. 

Smith-Njigba, while now the highest-paid wide receiver in the league, isn't necessarily the best wide receiver in the league, and most would agree. The likes of Ja'Marr Chase, Justin Jefferson, and A.J. Brown, for starters, would all sit above Smith-Njigba still to this day. 

That said, Smith-Njigba might rank higher than some due to his quarterback, and the duo they make, whereas Brown and Jefferson, for example, who either have an unstable relationship with their quarterback (Brown and Jalen Hurts) or an unproven one (Jefferson and Kyler Murray), rank nowhere.

Seattle Seahawks' Sam Darnold and Jaxon Smith-Njigba rank in the NFL's top-five quarterback-wide receiver duos

So, in the ranks of the best quarterback-wide receiver duos in the league today, where does JSN and Darnold rank?

5. Jared Goff and Amon-Ra St. Brown

All Jared Goff has done since he came over to the Detroit Lions from the Los Angeles Rams is put up elite numbers. Goff has thrown for a ridiculous 21,451 yards in the past five seasons and doesn't appear to be letting up. What has helped him is a strong wide receiver corps, which includes Jameson Williams, but most importantly, Amon-Ra St. Brown. 

St. Brown not only owns the coolest name in the NFL but, with Goff, has surpassed the 1,000-yard mark in four consecutive seasons, over 100 receptions in those seasons, and double-digit touchdowns in the past three. Goff and St. Brown's connection is utterly elite, and a main reason the Lions offense has been lethal ever since Goff arrived, making the duo good for No. 5 on this list.

4. Dak Prescott and Ceedee Lamb

If the Dallas Cowboys had a better-run organization and team, and a defense that could stop offenses, Dak Prescott's career might be viewed better. Unfortunately, no matter how good he is, the Cowboys never win, leaving Prescott to rest on his numbers alone, while his team's success is nonexistent. 

That said, Prescott has been in the MVP conversation before for good reason, and Ceedee Lamb has played a significant role in that ever since the Cowboys drafted him in 2020. Lamb has had just one season where he didn't hit the 1,000-yard mark, and his connection with Prescott is evident every single year, despite some odd interceptions here and there.

Nevertheless, the two are a lethal combination, making them good for No. 4 on this list. 

3. Sam Darnold and Jaxon Smith-Njigba

What makes Darnold and JSN so good together is not Darnold’s eliteness (because he’s not, yet), but because of how elite his pairing with JSN is. Smith-Njigba, on the other hand, is elite, and he and Darnold were put together, not expected to create magic off the hop, and yet, they did, and more.

It's very likely that had the Seahawks turned to another quarterback last offseason, we wouldn't be talking about Smith-Njigba in the light we are now, nor would the Seahawks be champions. Instead, we are, and JSN was this past season's best wideout for all the right reasons.

Thanks to his new deal and Darnold's place in Seattle, their combo has many more seasons ahead, and unless Darnold reverts to his old self, they will remain in the top five quarterback-wide receiver duos and No. 3 on this list.

2. Matthew Stafford and Puka Nacua

Puka Nacua is about to be paid handsomely and is already entering the conversation of the best wideouts in the NFL. He hasn't done it alone, though, as Matthew Stafford continues to pull a Tom Brady-esque career-ending, and this past season showed everything. 

Stafford still has it, and his connection with Nacua is not just elite, but electric and one of the most exciting pass-and-catch shows in the league. Nacua shot up the ranks of the best wide receivers this past season, and he's sure to continue that climb. 

Because Stafford is still great, and Nacua is so good already, they were one of the best combos last season, and will enter next season right where they left off, which makes them the second-best quarterback-wide receiver duos in the league right now.

1. Joe Burrow and Ja'Marr Chase

It's fair to argue that we haven't seen enough of the Joe Burrow-Ja'Marr Chase connection lately, thanks to injuries that Burrow has missed so much time for, but that doesn't take away what we have seen: absolute greatness downfield. Burrow and Chase have built an unmatched connection, given Chase's pure, raw talent and Burrow's greatness at quarterback. 

Chase already has a wide receiving triple crown, and he's only five years into his career, while Burrow has missed almost a season and a half in that time. Watching Chase catch balls downfield is a sight to see, and thanks to his college connection with Burrow at LSU, it's translated tremendously to the NFL.

Right now, there is no duo greater than this, and unless Burrow calls it quits in two years, he and Chase will remain atop the NFL as the best quarterback-wide receiver combo alive.