Seahawks WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba opened the 2026 season with another big performance after his 2025 offensive player of the year campaign. He caught 8 of 11 targets for 122 yards and a score in Wednesday night's comeback win over the Patriots. The highlight was a 45-yard TD that tied the game at 10 in the fourth quarter. Facing a 4th and 1, Seattle went play-action, leaving Smith-Njigba open in a soft spot a few yards past the sticks. He made the grab, turned upfield, and outran multiple Patriots for the score.
2026 Fantasy Football Impact: WR1 Regardless Of QB
Smith-Njigba's opener was even more impressive because it came mostly with backup QB Drew Lock. Starter Sam Darnold left after just 5 snaps. Seven of JSN's eight catches came from Lock.
Outside of the QB situation, this looked like more of the same from last season. Smith-Njigba drew a massive 46% target share and looked uncoverable, even against a talented Patriots secondary.
Darnold is expected to miss Week 2 with his hip injury, but it doesn't sound like he'll be out much beyond that.
Regardless of who's under center, Smith-Njigba is locked in as an every-week WR1.
