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Will JSN be able to maintain the same level with a new QB and after the departures of DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett?
In his second season in the NFL, Jaxon Smith-Njigba made an impressive leap, establishing himself as the
Seattle Seahawks’ top target, especially in the slot. This was not only because of his numbers, but mainly because of the refined quality of his route running — one of the main weapons that sets him apart on the field. JSN made a technical and tactical leap that solidified his role in Seattle’s offense — although full stardom is still a work in progress.
In the Seahawks’ offensive scheme, Smith-Njigba established himself as the “engine” of the intermediate passing game. Playing mostly in the slot, but also lining up in stack and bunch formations, he increased the versatility of the system, opening up space for DK Metcalf on vertical routes and helping to relieve the ground game by keeping defenses honest in coverage with screens.
More than numbers, his impact lies in the functionality he brought to the offense. He has become a key player in 11-personnel formations, essential for play-action and quick progressions — especially on third-and-short moments or fast-paced drives.
What will we see from him in 2025?
Stats and Records
Overall numbers and 2024 ranking:
Receptions: 100 (7th among WRs);
Receiving Yards: 1,130 (10th among WRs);
Touchdowns: 6 (tied for 28th);
Reception average: 11.3 yards (72nd);
Routes run: 617 routes (36.3/game) — 95.4% of snaps;
Slot Usage: 74.3% of routes in the slot — the highest in the NFL;
Drops in 2024: 2 in 137 targets → 1.5% drop rate, 55th in the NFL (Note: 8 drops and 11.3% drop rate in 2023);
Highlights
Week 9 vs. Los Angeles Rams: 7 receptions for 180 yards and 2 touchdowns, his first career multi-TD game and the game with the most receiving yards (these numbers could have been better if not for OL penalties).
Historic streak: Five straight games with at least 70 receiving yards, tying Metcalf and Steve Largent ; in this stretch, he maintained consistent averages above 70 yards per game .
Played in 17 games, with 16 starts, and recorded 100 receptions, 1,130 yards (11.3 per reception average) and 6 touchdowns. He broke the franchise record of 100 receptions in a season, tying Tyler Lockett (2020).
Slot dominance
He led the NFL in receptions (83), yards (993) and targets (64) coming from the slot. He was decisive with windows in zone coverage, finding his spaces intelligently.
In addition to his technique, Jaxon demonstrates a sharp tactical sense to find and exploit spaces in the opposing defense. Whether adjusting routes after the snap or detecting the movement of the secondary, his quick read allows him to reposition himself and create spaces, increasing his chances of reception and gaining yards after contact.
Being in the slot allows him to line up against LB on some plays. In this play, his matchup is against Jamie Sherwood, who was a safety in college. The LB can’t keep up with him, but what draws the most attention is his noticeable adjustment to the route to catch the pass.
Release
Smith-Njigba is known for his combination of speed, agility, and technical ability. He uses a variety of catching and separation techniques that help him stand out:
- Jab Step: A quick move in which he fakes to move in one direction, creating space to disengage from the defender. This is crucial to gaining immediate separation early in the play.
- Stack Release: Used when aligned in slot formations, where he can use his position to quickly move away from a nearby defender.
- Vertical Stem + Sit: Main release in zones, with a high success rate in sits/digs.
- Skip/Hop: Short hops to create quick separation in man defense and throw off defenders’ timing.
- Stutter: Brief hesitation that favors slants and sits;
- Stem + Slant: Outside feint followed by an inside cut — effective in man coverage;
- Stop and go + fake stack release and nice dig.
He mixes up his releases well. It starts with a stop n’ go that threatens vertically. He takes a strong step towards the sideline, as if he were going to keep the deep vertical route, but this only creates space for his route in the middle of the field. In fact, this backside dig is a route used a lot by new Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak.
He forces the DB to commit and the defender turns his hips. JSN comes back to attack the ball and makes the catch with the ball almost touching the ground. The WR still gets good yards after the catch on this play.
Another good combination. He pauses/hops at the beginning of the snap to try to mess with the defender’s timing and then adds the stutter-step, creating immediate separation for himself.
Route Running
The routes that Jaxon uses the most include:
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Slants: 35% usage, with a 75% success rate. These quick routes take advantage of his quickness and are often used in short-term situations.
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Outs: 25% usage, with a 70% success rate. He uses these routes to quickly disengage and gain yards after the catch.
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Comebacks: 20% usage, with a 65% success rate. These routes are effective in maintaining separation in coverage situations.
However, his routes that need further development include:
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Go: 10% usage, only 40% success. The need for better separation and timing on these plays is evident.
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Posts: 10% usage, 50% success. While he made some nice plays, the accuracy and execution of these routes needs refinement.
Alignment Types
During the season, Jaxon was used in several positions, reflecting the versatility of his game:
Slot Receiver: 60%
Outside Receiver: 30%
Motion: 10%
This distribution allows the Seahawks to explore favorable matchups and use Jaxon in different tactical contexts such as play action, taking advantage of him on third downs and in screens, creating situations for yards after the reception.
Great call. A 3x1 formation that would become 4x1 with Kenneth Walker coming in motion. It seems that the three receivers are there to block for the RB after receiving the pass. LB Fred Warner advances and would make the easy tackle on the RB. However, the pass is to JSN, who still gets a lot of yards after the reception.
JSN has good vision to find and anticipate spaces in order to maximize his gains.
Another screen. Once again, he shows his ability to see the field, looking for a way to escape. He succeeds and even breaks tackles on the way to do so.
Impact of DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett’s departure
As we said before, Seattle let Metcalf and Lockett leave this offseason. Even though their production was nowhere near as outstanding as JSN’s in 2024, the role of the two veterans caught the defense’s attention, leaving space for JSN. Is he still capable of producing at this level without them both?
Lockett and his experience can throw one CB on top of the other in traffic, giving JSN a free release that ends up being converted into a TD.
DK even seems to have a gravitational orbit. He attracts the three defenders who allow JSN to be free deep down the field.
The Seahawks tried to protect this release from JSN with bunch formations and spacing and here with what we call a shielded release. It’s almost a bunch formation after Lockett’s move. AJ Barner advances and with the crossing of the route with Lockett prevents the DB from reaching the line against JSN, who has another free release. Let’s see how the team can maintain this without the two stars, Lockett and DK.
Where Smith-Njigba evolved in 2024
JSN’s main improvement in 2024 was his consistency as a reliable target on third downs and intermediate zones of the field. His chemistry with the quarterback — especially on short and medium routes — made him a key factor in moving the chains. He increased his production of yards per reception, improved average separation and became more efficient after the catch.
Good exit on the release to get free on a quick route. However, Geno Smith is pressured and can’t pass the ball at first. JSN sees the field well and improvises his route so that the QB has an option.
In addition, JSN demonstrated greater physicality in contact and refinement when dealing with tight marking. His coverage reading has improved, allowing for quicker adjustments in option routes and better use of empty zones.
Finds the space in the middle of the field and gets back to the QB. Geno had difficulty with some passes in the middle of the field in this game, but JSN doesn’t wait for the ball, but attacks it. That’s enough to make the reception.
Where Jaxon Smith-Njigba can still improve
Despite the jump in 2024, Smith-Njigba still has room for growth in two main areas:
1. Verticality and deep-field threat:
Although he is a specialist in short and medium routes, JSN lacks explosiveness on go routes, posts and other vertical routes. His initial burst and stacking over the corner after the release still do not make him a constant threat for explosive yards. His execution on “deep ball” routes still needs refinement, as on several occasions he was unable to maintain the separation necessary to be a deep threat.
2. Contested catches in depth:
JSN is still inconsistent when he needs to contest contested balls in depth. Despite his reliable hands, his timing of jumps and body positioning in 50/50 situations could be more aggressive.
Conclusion
Jaxon Smith-Njigba had a truly defining second season — from young prospect to franchise star. With consistent production, records, and elite recognition, he showed that he is the key piece of the offense. What is missing now is to raise this level even further with new offensive weapons, but the foundation is already solid.
JSN benefited from the seasons of DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett. Although the veterans were not at their peak in 2024, they caught the eye at certain times and that helped Smith-Njigba. In 2025, things will be different. The former
Ohio State WR will be a target for defenses and he will need to find ways to produce even with this special attention.
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