A new ranking just dropped that’s gonna make every 12 in the Emerald City do a double-take: our very own Jaxon Smith-Njigba has been ranked as the fourth best first-round selection in the entire NFL since 2020, a staggering position that should get every fan fired up for the regular season. This isn’t some hot take based on flash; it’s a deep dive into draft history that validates what we’ve been seeing from our star receiver.
JSN at No. 4: A Seahawks Masterclass Nobody’s Talking About
Listen, this isn’t just about raw talent, either. The ranking’s methodology is important here: it evaluates each decision from the *team’s point of view*, considering the draft capital and all the other options available on the board. So, for Jaxon Smith-Njigba to land at No. 4, it means that picking him at No. 20 overall in 2023 was a brilliant move for the Seahawks. He’s ahead of studs like Justin Herbert and Jordan Love, and right behind elite QBs like Joe Burrow and Drake Maye, and WR Justin Jefferson. We all knew JSN was special, but this ranking confirms he was a foundational piece, a cornerstone for Brian Fleury’s offense. Imagine what this ranking means for the season with Sam Darnold throwing to him, alongside Cooper Kupp and Rashid Shaheed. It shows the smart, calculated moves our front office is making, getting top-tier talent without having to reach at the very top of the draft board.
Byron Murphy II: Another Top-Tier Pick Bolstering the Defense
But wait, the good news for the Seahawks keeps rolling. Our defense also got a massive shout-out in this analysis. Byron Murphy II, the defensive tackle we snagged at No. 16 overall in 2024, came in at No. 23 overall in the same rankings! Two Seahawks in the top 25 first-round picks since 2020? That’s insane, honestly. Coach Mike Macdonald has to be grinning ear to ear knowing he’s got a highly-ranked, early-career defensive lineman like Murphy anchoring his unit. It’s a huge statement, especially when you consider five quarterbacks rank among the top seven choices overall, making those non-QB selections even more impressive. These are the kinds of draft decisions that really build a dominant team, giving us playmakers on both sides of the ball who were considered prime value picks.
This isn’t just some offseason fluff piece; these rankings give us a real look at the foundational talent on our squad. Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Byron Murphy II aren’t just good players; they were *great* draft decisions that are going to fuel our season. With the regular season kicking off, seeing our recent first-rounders validated like this gives us all kinds of momentum heading into the grind. Get ready, 12s, because with players like these, this year is shaping up to be something special.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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