Jaxon Smith-Njigba, our very own Seahawks wideout, is already making serious waves in fantasy football circles, getting mentions as high as the first round in mock drafts for 2026! Yeah, you read that right. The buzz around JSN is legit, and it means you might need to snag him way earlier than you thought to secure a path to championship glory. Every fantasy draft is a shot at a title, and while not all roads lead there, finding that pay dirt means drafting smart at every single pick.
Early Round Stacks: JSN’s Rise and RB Depth
For those blessed with one of the first four picks, the strategy is all about snagging an elite running back or securing an early pass-catcher. If you’ve got the first pick, it’s a no-brainer: grab your favorite of Bijan Robinson or Jahmyr Gibbs. Many are leaning Gibbs, but Robinson gets our nod. The plan then shifts to collecting pass-catchers in rounds two and three because running back depth really doesn’t change much between the third and fourth rounds. If you’re at pick two, it’s the same playbook: take whichever of Robinson or Gibbs is left, then rule out running backs for the next two rounds unless a major target somehow falls.
Now, for picks three and four, things get spicy. A mini-run on receivers starts with Ja’Marr Chase, especially with a healthy Joe Burrow back in the mix for a monster season. If a guy like Derrick Henry or Chase Brown is still on the board in Round 2, a running back makes sense. Otherwise, plan on grabbing two more pass-catchers. And this is where our guy shines! Puka Nacua is a priority target, but Jaxon Smith-Njigba absolutely has a case to be made right after him! Your odds of getting a viable running back in Round 2 are good, but don’t force it by reaching for Kyren Williams or Jeremiyah Love. Ashton Jeanty could be a great grab if his injury reports don’t scare you off. Round 3 then becomes all about the best wide receiver or tight end available.
Mid-Draft Opportunities: Grabbing JSN and Key RBs
If you’re sitting at pick five, and somehow, Jaxon Smith-Njigba is *still* there? He’s an obvious target, plain and simple. Ideally, you’re pairing him with a running back in Round 2,think Henry or Jeanty,and then grabbing another pass-catcher in Round 3. Pick six might just be the perfect spot for Christian McCaffrey. There’s always some risk with a 30-year-old running back coming off a 450-touch season, but that ceiling is too high to let him fall any further. Protect yourself with a second-round running back, then snatch up the top receiver in Round 3.
At pick seven, Amon-Ra St. Brown is the play, one of fantasy’s safest players. Because he’s such a sure thing, you might even double-tap running backs in Rounds 2 and 3. Chase Brown or De’Von Achane could start it, followed by Jeanty or even Javonte Williams. The further you get in the draft, the less obvious the targets, but Jonathan Taylor gets our vote at pick eight. Running back talent arguably takes a small dip after him, so getting him before that happens is just smart. With a top-tier running back locked in, you’re flexible enough to go best player available with your next few picks.
The Back Half: Building Your Championship Roster
For picks nine and ten, it’s a coin flip between CeeDee Lamb and Justin Jefferson. Pick your favorite. Unless Taylor, Saquon Barkley, or James Cook III miraculously fall to you in Round 2, you might want to load up on pass-catchers, potentially three straight, before even looking at a running back in Round 4. At pick ten, you grab whoever is left of Lamb or Jefferson. Running back should be a compelling option in Round 2, with guys like Barkley, Cook, Brown, Achane, or Omarion Hampton available. After that, your team’s foundation is solid enough to support picking the best player available in Round 3.
This isn’t just about drafting; it’s about building a squad that can dominate. Seeing our man Jaxon Smith-Njigba getting this kind of fantasy respect just shows how much talent he’s got. Pay attention to these early trends, because if JSN’s stock keeps climbing, you’ll want to be ready to pull the trigger to get him on your championship roster next season.
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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