Our guy Jaxon Smith-Njigba is already making serious waves. Heading into the 2026 NFL season, fantasy football experts are pegging the Seattle Seahawks wide receiver as the **fifth overall pick** in PPR leagues. That’s right, fifth overall, putting him right up there with the league’s absolute elite and making a serious statement about his expected dominance on the field for the Emerald City.
JSN’s Ascent to the Top Tier
Think about that for a second. Jaxon is projected to go before almost every other player in the entire league. He’s keeping company with certified studs like Jahmyr Gibbs, the Detroit Lions running back who’s projected at number one, and Bijan Robinson of the Atlanta Falcons at number two. Then you’ve got Ja’Marr Chase of the Bengals at three and Puka Nacua from the Rams at four. For Jaxon to consistently be projected in that top tier tells you everything you need to know about the kind of season analysts expect from him. This isn’t just a good season they’re seeing; it’s a *dominant* one, the kind that anchors championship fantasy teams and gives defenses nightmares trying to cover him in Lumen Field. The league is officially on notice: JSN is coming for that top spot.
The Comeback Kid Who Could Steal Your League
While we’re hyping up our own, there’s a fascinating “hidden gem” out there that fantasy managers need to watch closely: Jonathon Brooks, the running back for the Carolina Panthers. Talk about a high-risk, high-reward pick! This isn’t for the faint of heart, as Brooks battled not one, but *two* major ACL tears in his right knee within a 13-month span. Those were devastating injuries that have made some folks question if he can ever be the star they drafted him to be with the 46th pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. But here’s the kicker: the Panthers front office seems to be all-in. They let Rico Dowdle, who busted out for over 1,000 yards and averaged 4.6 yards per carry last season, walk this offseason. That’s a huge vote of confidence. Carolina still has Chuba Hubbard, who’s perhaps underrated, but the team has never been fully comfortable making him the lone starter. Brooks, with his “excellent three-down skills” from college, is expected to translate those abilities to the pros. Hubbard may get the starting nod early, but do not be surprised if Brooks becomes the workhorse of that Carolina offense by the midway point of the season.
This 2026 NFL season is shaping up to be wild, especially for our guy Jaxon leading the charge for the Seahawks in fantasy projections. For all you fantasy managers out there, don’t sit back and let someone else grab Brooks; he could be the difference-maker you need for a championship run. With both these guys primed to explode, we’re looking at an action-packed year, both on the real field and in your league. Let’s go!
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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