With Seahawks training camp kicking off next week, Seahawks.com is taking a look at 10 of the most intriguing storylines, position battles and players heading into the 2024 season. So far, we've taken a look at special teams, tight end, safety, running back and inside linebacker, and today we focus on receiver, and on second-year wideout Jaxon Smith-Njigba in particular. Check back tomorrow when we turn our attention to quarterback and how Geno Smith expects to thrive in Ryan Grubb's offense.
Key Receiver Additions: Laviska Shenault Jr. (free agent)
Key Receiver Departures: none.
As has been the case for several years, the Seahawks are heading into a season feeling good about the talent they have at receiver thanks to the presence of the talented duo of DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett.
This year, however, there is buzz about that position group for reasons that extend beyond what has been one of the league's best duos ever since Metcalf came into the league in 2019, forming a one-two punch with Lockett that over the past five seasons has produced a combined 790 catches for 10,545 yards and 83 touchdowns.
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And it's not that expectations don't remain high for Metcalf and Lockett—they will once again be key players in Seattle's offense—but what could be different in 2024 is that a third receiver, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, could very well be pushing those two when it comes to playing time and production.
A first-round pick in last year's draft, Smith-Njigba saw his rookie campaign get off to a slow start, in large part due to injuries, but down the stretch he showed he could be a big part of the offense, both in terms of overall production—he finished the year with a solid 63 catches for 628 yards after totaling just 12 catches for 62 yards in his first four games—and also in his ability to come up in big moments, none more critical than his game-winning touchdown catch against the Eagles in a dramatic Week 15 win.
Now, Smith-Njigba heads into his second season looking to build upon a promising rookie season, and a lot of factors point to a potential breakout season for the former Ohio State standout. Whether it's something as simple as the eye test in OTAs and minicamp, or the praise he has received from teammates and coaches, or the fact that new offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb excelled at utilizing multiple talented receivers at the University of Washington, a lot of signs heading into training camp point to Smith-Njigba taking a big leap in his second season.
"JSN is a great player and expecting great big things out of him," Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald said during OTAs. "He's had a great offseason. Works his tail off. His practice habits are awesome. Moving ability is pretty elite. I think we got a really cool plan for him."
Asked about Smith-Njigba later in the summer, Macdonald said, "He's a guy that we can focus our offense around, with our guys. Tyler Lockett is still a great player. DK Metcalf, phenomenal player, Noah Fant. I mean, (Smith-Njigba) is definitely going to be a massive piece of what we're trying to do offensively."
For his part, Smith-Njigba feels like the success he enjoyed last season is just the precursor of what's to come this year and beyond.
"I felt like it was a good foundation," Smith-Njigba said of his rookie campaign. "I can grow from it. A lot of growing pains, a lot of ups and downs, but kind of similar from first years of college and in high school. Kind of the same thing. I look forward going into the second year after completing a good offseason and training camp and just going on from that. But last year, not making the playoffs and not winning as many games as we wanted to. That didn't sit well with me and so I'm looking for change this year."
Smith-Njigba is also excited about what he is seeing from Grubb's offense: "Just loving what I'm seeing right now. A lot of motions, a lot of putting us in the right position to make plays. Simple as that. I'm with him. We're rocking and rolling right now… Just seeing Coach Grubb and his creativity on the motions and how we're going to line up and things like that, so it's definitely different, a lot of energy and I feel good about it."
While there is a clear-cut top three at receiver in Lockett, Metcalf and Smith-Njigba, the battle for playing time and roster spots beyond that will be one of the more intriguing battles in camp. Jake Bobo, an undrafted free agent who emerged as a fan favorite last season, would appear to be the No. 4 target after that aforementioned trio, but free-agent signing Laviska Shenault Jr., who should also be a big factor on special teams, should factor into the battle for playing time and targets, as should Dee Eskridge if he can stay healthy. Dareke Young, who had a promising rookie campaign in 2022 before injuries cut short his season, also limiting him in last season, will also look to bounce back and be a factor at receiver.
Check out the best photos from the wide receivers during the team's 2024 offseason workout program.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) participated in offseason workouts at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf (14) and the wide receivers participated in offseason workouts at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jake Bobo (19) participated in offseason workouts at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf (14) participated in offseason workouts at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf (14) participated in offseason workouts at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Dareke Young (83) participated in offseason workouts at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) participated in offseason workouts at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) participated in offseason workouts at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jake Bobo (19) participated in offseason workouts at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) participated in offseason workouts at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Dareke Young (83) participated in offseason workouts at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) participated in offseason workouts at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jake Bobo (19) participated in offseason workouts at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Dareke Young (83) participated in offseason workouts at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jake Bobo (19) participated in offseason workouts at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Dee Eskridge (1) participated in offseason workouts at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) participated in offseason workouts at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jake Bobo (19) participated in offseason workouts at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Tyler Lockett (16) participated in offseason workouts at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) participated in offseason workouts at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Dareke Young (83) participated in offseason workouts at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) participated in offseason workouts at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Dareke Young (83) participated in offseason workouts at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Tyler Lockett (16) participated in offseason workouts at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf (14) participated in offseason workouts at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Tyler Lockett (16) participated in offseason workouts at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jake Bobo (19) participated in offseason workouts at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jake Bobo (19) participated in offseason workouts at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf (14) participated in offseason workouts at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jake Bobo (19) participated in offseason workouts at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Laviska Shenault Jr. (81) participated in offseason workouts at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Tyler Lockett (16) participated in offseason workouts at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Laviska Shenault Jr. (81) participated in offseason workouts at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Dareke Young (83) participated in offseason workouts at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Dee Eskridge (1) participated in offseason workouts at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Tyler Lockett (16) and wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) participated in offseason workouts at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf (14) participated in offseason workouts at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jake Bobo (19) participated in offseason workouts at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Laviska Shenault Jr. (81) participated in offseason workouts at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf (14) participated in offseason workouts at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) participated in offseason workouts at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) participated in offseason workouts at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Tyler Lockett (16) participated in offseason workouts at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Dareke Young (83) participated in offseason workouts at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jake Bobo (19) participated in offseason workouts at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Dareke Young (83) participated in offseason workouts at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Dee Eskridge (1) participated in offseason workouts at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Laviska Shenault Jr. (81) participated in offseason workouts at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) participated in offseason workouts at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) participated in offseason workouts at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jake Bobo (19) participated in offseason workouts at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) and tight end Tyler Mabry (85) participated in offseason workouts at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) participated in offseason workouts at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Tyler Lockett (16) participated in offseason workouts at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Dareke Young (83) participated in offseason workouts at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Dee Eskridge (1) participated in offseason workouts at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Cody White (82) participated in offseason workouts at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jake Bobo (19) participated in offseason workouts at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Dareke Young (83) participated in offseason workouts at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Easop Winston Jr. (13) participated in offseason workouts at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Tyler Lockett (16) participated in offseason workouts at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Cody White (82) participated in offseason workouts at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Dee Williams (33) participated in offseason workouts at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Laviska Shenault Jr. (81) participated in offseason workouts at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Dareke Young (83) participated in offseason workouts at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf (14) participated in offseason workouts at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Cody White (82) participated in offseason workouts at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) participated in offseason workouts at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf (14) participated in offseason workouts at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Easop Winston Jr. (13) participated in offseason workouts at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Tyler Lockett (16) participated in offseason workouts at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Dee Eskridge (1) participated in offseason workouts at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
