Jaxon Smith-Njigba is officially the 5th best player in the entire NFL. Our man carved out his spot at number five on the NFL’s Top 100 Players of 2026 list, hitting his first career appearance, and get this: he is the highest-ranked wide receiver anywhere. For the defending Super Bowl champion Seahawks, while some might argue the team as a whole got snubbed by this offseason ranking, JSN’s placement is undeniable proof of his superstar status, putting the Emerald City squarely in the spotlight.
JSN Joins Emerald City Royalty With A Top 5 Spot
Talk about elite company! Smith-Njigba is now etched into Seahawks history, joining legends like Russell Wilson (No. 2, 2020), Richard Sherman (No. 7, 2014), and Marshawn Lynch (No. 9, 2015) as the only Seahawks ever to land in the Top 10. That’s some serious business for the Emerald City, showcasing the kind of talent we’re breeding here. Our quarterback, Sam Darnold, also made a well-deserved appearance at No. 21, showing he is getting the respect he earned and proving he is a crucial piece of our championship puzzle. And let’s not forget linebacker Ernest Jones IV, who came in at No. 97, proving our defense has playmakers getting recognized on a national stage. When you look at the guys ranked above JSN , Bijan Robinson, Josh Allen, Matthew Stafford, and Myles Garrett , it tells you everything about the caliber of player we’re talking about here. He is right there with the league’s absolute best. There was zero doubt JSN would outrank Puka Nacua, who landed at No. 7, to be the top wideout on this list. Our guy is simply on another level, and the league is finally acknowledging it.
A Historic Season Ignites a Record-Breaking Contract
This top-five ranking isn’t some random stroke of luck, folks. This is a direct result of JSN’s absolutely historic season. After longtime Seahawks receivers DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett moved on, Smith-Njigba stepped up big time, taking over lead duties and absolutely dominating the competition. He racked up a mind-blowing 119 receptions for a league-leading 1,793 receiving yards. Think about that for a second: a league-leading receiving yards total in a championship season! It was a no-brainer that he snatched the Offensive Player of the Year award. That kind of season does not go unnoticed, and it certainly didn’t here in Seattle. His incredible performance earned him a massive four-year, $168.6 million extension, making him the highest-paid wide receiver in league history. Yeah, you read that right. Highest. Paid. Wide. Receiver. Ever. That kind of commitment from the team shows exactly what they think of JSN’s talent and future, and frankly, it shows what the entire league is now forced to acknowledge. The Emerald City is home to the league’s top-ranked receiver, and he is not going anywhere.
So, while we might feel a little disrespected that some of our other deserving guys, like defensive tackle Leonard Williams, cornerback Devon Witherspoon, and safety Nick Emmanwori, missed out on the Top 100, we know one thing for sure: Jaxon Smith-Njigba’s impact is undeniable. The 12s can’t wait to see what he does next on Lumen Field, proving he is worth every single penny and every single spot on that list. The season is underway, and with JSN leading the charge, expect fireworks and a strong push from our defending champions. This is just the beginning.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Field Gulls.
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