The NFL season is already a quarter of the way through, and fans of the Seattle Seahawks are still waiting for their rookie wide receiver, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, to truly live up to the hype that surrounded him during the offseason. In training camp, he showed immense promise, and the fans had high hopes for a breakout year. However, the reality has been a bit disappointing so far, and there are several factors contributing to this underwhelming start.
One of the primary issues affecting JSN's performance is the Seahawks' love for tight ends (TEs). Their love for TEs means that JSN isn't always on the field, which affects his ability to make plays. He currently holds a 52% snap share, which might seem decent on the surface but ranks only 11th among rookie wide receivers. If the Seahawks want to see JSN explode and reach his full potential, they'll need to address this issue.
The second issue at hand is the type of plays that JSN is involved in. As of now, he primarily receives screen passes, which, while occasionally valuable, won't necessarily lead to him scoring touchdowns. If the Seahawks aim to see JSN thrive and become a game-changer, offensive coordinator Shane Waldron needs to expand his route tree. Letting JSN run deep routes will not only diversify the playbook but also make the most of JSN's speed and agility.
JSN's capabilities as a receiver extend far beyond screen passes. Incorporating deep routes into the game plan will create opportunities for him to showcase his skills and contribute significantly to the team's success. A dynamic receiver like JSN can stretch the field and create big plays, which will not only help him but also open up more opportunities for other offensive weapons on the team.
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