As Jaxon Smith-Njigba demonstrated last season on his way to an NFL-leading and franchise record 1,793 receiving yards, he is among the most talented and complete receivers in the NFL.
He's fast enough and savvy enough as a route-runner to beat coverage over the top; he's tough enough to make contested catches in the middle of the field; he has the vision and elusiveness to turn a short pass into a big gain; and he has the hands to make the most difficult catches.
"The way he runs routes is so elusive, and it's hard to get a tell on what he's about to do," said cornerback Devon Witherspoon, who has been matching up with Smith-Njigba since the two of them arrived as first-round picks in 2023. "He's able to create separation, he runs routes fluently, efficiently. The way he can track the ball in the air is one of none. He can do everything. He can run any route, he makes contested catches. He's going to have a big year again this year. I'm waiting to see that too."
Among Smith-Njigba's many weapons he uses to make big plays is an uncanny knack for making subtle adjustments with the ball in the air to gain separation. On multiple long scores last season, he would throttle down slightly with the ball in the air, getting a cornerback or safety to slow down with him, only to accelerate at the last minute to make the catch. He is also a master of using his hands to create subtle separation without fully pushing off to draw a flag for offensive pass interference.
Asked about such moves, Smith-Njigba said the secret is, "Control. Having enough control and calmness to put the defensive back where you want (him). When the ball is floating in the air, sometimes you have to make something happen to create space for yourself to make a clean catch and then run with it, so just that. I give that testament to the drill work that we do every single day with Fris (receivers coach Frisman Jackson) and Ricky White. Being comfortable in uncomfortable situations down the field, that's something that we work on."
Wait, did Jaxon Smith-Njigba, a first-team All-Pro and the AP Offensive Player of the Year, just say he gets tips from second-year receiver Ricky White III, a former seventh-round pick who spent most of his rookie season on the practice squad?
"He has great calmness, great knack for the ball, has great hands," Smith-Njigba said. "That's something we both want to grow at, and I want to pick his brain on things. Excellent player that pushes me and all the receivers to be on their game because he is on it. Working with him and getting better."
That Smith-Njigba has accomplished so much in his three-year NFL career but is still looking to learn from younger, less experienced teammates, helps demonstrate not just what makes him such a great player, but also what makes Seattle's receiver room so special.
"It just speaks volumes to the culture that we have in our room," Jackson said. "Nobody is above getting coaches, we're all learning and trying to grow from each other. Everybody has experiences, everybody has a skill set, and I can learn from a rookie who might be doing something a little bit better than me, then I can add that to my game. That speaks to the humbleness that Jax has, to be as a great of a player as he is, and be willing to say,
'Hey, this guy may do something or have something in his game that I don't necessarily have that might add value to my game, so why not listen to him?'"
The Seahawks have a ton of talent and experience at receiver, led by Smith-Njigba, Cooper Kupp and Rashid Shaheed, but one reason why Jackson, Smith-Njigba and everyone else associated with that position group are so excited about this season is the depth of talent at receiver. Tory Horton, a fifth-round pick last season, was a big-play threat as a rookie, scoring five receiving touchdowns to go along with a 95-yard punt return touchdown before landing on injured reserve with a shin injury midway through the year. Jake Bobo, who re-signed this offseason, makes contributions far beyond his numbers, both in the run game and on special teams, not to mention in the locker room, and as he showed in the playoffs, he can also come through with huge catches when called upon. Then there are players like Cody White, who seems to make a big play every time he gets the opportunity to suit up on gameday; Ricky White, who won over coaches and teammates with his work on the practice squad last season; Montorie Foster Jr., a member of the practice squad last year who has been making big plays nearly every day in camp; Emmanuel Henderson Jr., a rookie looking to make a mark with his speed and special teams ability; and Irv Charles, an offseason trade acquisition whose size and speed make him a potential big contributor on special teams.
"Our room is top in the league," Smith-Njigba said. "We're looking to be the best in the league and the people we have in our room I respect. Y'all see Montorie (Foster Jr.) out there every single day. Cody White is always making plays. Jake Bobo does his thing all the time. There's room for improvement for all of us and to learn from those guys is a pleasure."
It's entirely possible that Smith-Njigba doesn't match his record-setting pace from last season, not because his game will regress, but rather because of all the talent the Seahawks have at receiver. Shaheed has been much more involved in the offense in this camp than he was last season when he joined the team midway through the year following a trade with the Saints. Kupp saw his targets go down in his first year in Seattle, but was as efficient as ever when the ball did come his way, and in the postseason he led the team in receiving both in the divisional round and the Super Bowl. Horton should only get better in Year 2 and should have a big role now that he's back to full health, and as mentioned above, there is a lot of talented depth beyond those four.
"Everyone is versatile. We ask a lot of these guys, and all of these guys can line up in different spots, give us quality reps in all these different spots," Jackson said. "And it just adds value to them. When you can line up and play different position, and the coach isn't worried, 'Oh, is this guy going to be able to execute this assignment.' It makes it really competitive in our room, because no one is just at one spot, so everyone feels like they need to be on top of their game."
And as Jackson notes, it helps when the superstar of the group is the one setting the tone with his work ethic and humility.
"He's very coachable, he's hungry," Jackson said. "I think people misconstrue sometimes when I say how humble he is to mean that he doesn't have some fire to him. He does. It ain't all peaches and cream, we have moments where we disagree on things, but the guy is coachable. That's a huge thing as a coach, you just want to be able to coach the guy, and he allows that to happen.
"And that's all the guys in the room—it is a cool-ass room. Jax gets a lot of the publicity, and rightfully so, and Coop and Sheed, but from top to bottom, there's not a bad dude in that room. Guys want to get coached, they allow us to coach them, and no one is taking it personal. As a coach, that's all you want, you want to be able to freely coach the guys and have them be receptive to that."
The Seahawks opened the week with a practice on Monday, August 10 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14), quarterback Drew Lock (2) and quarterback Jalen Milroe (6) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14), quarterback Drew Lock (2) and quarterback Jalen Milroe (6) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tackle Abraham Lucas (72) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks guard Grey Zabel (76) and tackle Charles Cross (67) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks nose tackle Brandon Pili (95) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks punter Michael Dickson (4) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Rashid Shaheed (22) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald with Seahawks Legend Richard Sherman at practice on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Bud Clark (9) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Maxen Hook (43) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Julian Love (20) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety D'Anthony Bell (23) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Derick Hall (58) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker DeMarcus Lawrence (0) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Uchenna Nwosu (7) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive tackle Rylie Mills (98) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Patrick O'Connell (52) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Chazz Surratt (44) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Chris Paul Jr. (49) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Justin Jones (25) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks fullback Brady Russell (38) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) and wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Rashid Shaheed (22) and wide receiver Ricky White III (86) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jake Bobo (19) and wide receiver Rashad Rochelle (35) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Rashid Shaheed (22) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Emmanuel Henderson Jr. (84) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Tory Horton (15) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back TJ Harden (30) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Josh Jobe (29) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Velus Jones Jr. (33) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Ricky White III (86) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jake Bobo (19) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Noah Igbinoghene (17) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Rashid Shaheed (22) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Drew Lock (2) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Jalen Milroe (6) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive tackle Rylie Mills (98) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Emanuel Wilson (27) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tight end Elijah Arroyo (18) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back TJ Harden (30) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones IV (13) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker DeMarcus Lawrence (0) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Derick Hall (58) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive tackle Byron Murphy II (91) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive tackle Byron Murphy II (91) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Julian Love (20) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) and wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) and wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) and wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety AJ Finley (30) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tackle Amari Kight (79) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Josh Jobe (29) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Jalen Milroe (6) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Bud Clark (9) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tight end Elijah Arroyo (18) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tight end Elijah Arroyo (18) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tight end Elijah Arroyo (18) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Ricky White III (86) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Ricky White III (86) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Ricky White III (86) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Julian Love (20) and safety Ty Okada (39) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Noah Igbinoghene (17) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Tyrice Knight (48) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
The Seahawks practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Jalen Milroe (6) and wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Josh Jobe (29) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Julian Love (20) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks nose tackle Brandon Pili (95), defensive tackle Rylie Mills (98) and linebacker Jared Ivey (51) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Josh Jobe (29) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jake Bobo (19) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) and wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Julian Love (20) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
The Seahawks practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back George Holani (36) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Josh Jobe (29) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tight end Elijah Arroyo (18) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Patrick O'Connell (52) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Patrick O'Connell (52) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Emanuel Wilson (27) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Ricky White III (86) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tight end Nick Vannett (83) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Michael Dansby (37) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Ricky White III (86) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
The Seahawks practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Jalen Milroe (6) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Tyrice Knight (48) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones IV (13) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
The Seahawks practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones IV (13) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks guard Anthony Bradford (75) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Tyrice Knight (48) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tackle Charles Cross (67) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive tackle Byron Murphy II (91) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tight end AJ Barner (88) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Nick Emmanwori (3) practiced on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald at practice on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
