Our own Jaxon Smith-Njigba is getting massive love in early 2026 fantasy mock drafts, landing squarely in the first round of a recent 12-team point-per-reception (PPR) simulation right as NFL cutdown day approaches. This isn’t just fantasy buzz; it’s a huge signal about the expected volume and impact our second-year phenom is projected to have for the Seahawks offense as Week 1 gets closer.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba’s First Round Splash
The mock draft, run through FantasyPros’ Mock Draft Simulator, saw Jaxon Smith-Njigba picked among the league’s absolute elite receivers, right there with Ja’Marr Chase and Amon-Ra St. Brown. While running backs like Jahmyr Gibbs and Bijan Robinson led off the mock, high-volume receivers are clearly dominating the conversation for top picks. This isn’t a surprise for anyone who’s been watching JSN. His talent has been obvious, and this early draft position solidifies what we already suspected: he’s set to be a focal point of our passing game. If fantasy managers are seeing him as a clear No. 1 option, it tells you everything you need to know about the confidence in his upcoming season. This is exactly the kind of production we need to see from our receivers to light up Lumen Field.
The Running Back Gamble, and a Familiar Face
While receivers like JSN are getting their due, the mock draft also highlighted a crucial strategy point for fantasy managers: the wide gap between first and second-tier running backs. We saw a rush on backs early, with six more coming off the board in Round 2. Guys like James Cook and Derrick Henry are solid choices, but the bottom of Round 2 brings some serious risk. Remember Kenneth Walker III? The dude who used to run wild for our Hawks? He’s now with the Kansas City Chiefs and surprisingly landed in that “strong bust potential” category despite being a reigning Super Bowl MVP. It’s a tough break for him. The mock draft points out he “struggled to stay healthy in the past” even while appearing in all 17 games for Seattle last season, and his average of fewer than eight combined touchdowns per season adds to the risk. It just goes to show you how brutal the fantasy landscape can be, even for a player of his caliber.
The NFL’s official cutdown day is almost here, with teams trimming rosters to 53 by Sunday. That means the real preparation for Week 1 truly begins. For us 12s, it’s all about watching our guys like Jaxon Smith-Njigba prove these fantasy projections right on the actual field. Keep your eyes locked on the Emerald City’s finest because if fantasy experts are this high on JSN, you know he’s about to deliver.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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