Jaxon Smith-Njigba vs Puka Nacua

“Fantasy Football Research & Advice Fantasy Football Expert Rankings 2026 Fantasy Football Draft Kit Fantasy Football Trade Analyzer Fantasy Football Draft Strategy: Pick 1.04 Players to Consider at 1.04 Fantasy Football Draft Pick These players will likely be available when you make your selection: Ja’Marr Chase (WR – CIN) Puka Nacua (WR – LAR) Jaxon Smith-Njigba (WR – SEA) Christian McCaffrey (RB – SF) It’s fair to assume at least one of Bijan Robinson or Jahmyr Gibbs will be gone, if not both, as they’re the consensus top two picks.”

“It was a truly special year for Jaxon Smith-Njigba, leading the league in receiving yards and helping the Seahawks to a Super Bowl. The only cause for concern is Klint Kubiak, the former offensive coordinator, moving to become the Head Coach of the New Orleans Saints and a potential dip in efficiency from Sam Darnold .”

“Like Nacua, Smith-Njigba ranked outside the top 20 wide receivers in total routes run, at just 495 despite perfect health. Seattle was a run-first team by choice last year, but they also played a lot of un-competitive 2nd halves — at times induced by a Smith-Njigba eruption. I could see the team’s PROE rising given the changeover in their backfield, and could especially see the actual pass rate rise if the team plays more competitive games.”

“WR5 in expected PPG last year (17.4), just ahead of Jaxon Smith-Njigba (17.2) Most combined red-zone + downfield (15+ yard) targets per game in 2025: 1”

“Perhaps waiting to take Darnold for the stack with Jaxon Smith-Njigba in the final round may have been wiser.”

“Flowers’ draft classmate, Seahawks WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba , reset the market at over $42 million a year this offseason.”

“Jaxon Smith-Njigba proved last season that he is one of the best receivers in the league. He is a true No. 1 weapon, finishing with 1,700+ receiving yards and 10 touchdowns, nearly tripling the next-closest player on the team.”

“It's hard to ignore how efficient Jaxon Smith-Njigba was in 2025. Smith-Njigba ranked fifth in targets, but was second in receiving yards (1,794). Four of his touchdowns came on passes of 20+ yards downfield, with an absurd 60% catch rate.”

“Jaxon Smith-Njigba is the reigning Offensive Player of the Year after leading the NFL with 1,793 receiving yards.”

“The only cause for concern is Klint Kubiak leaving to become the head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders, which could lead to a dip in Sam Darnold's efficiency. The positive side, though, is that the team didn't make any major additions at receiver, aside from bringing back Rashid Shaheed. If Zach Charbonnet isn't back and rookie Jadarian Price can't adapt to the NFL quickly, could we see even more volume from Smith-Njigba?”

“Other notable cap hit: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, $10,371,329 (3.44 percent)”

“The Seahawks wasted no time rewarding reigning Offensive Player of the Year Jaxon Smith-Njigba with the biggest wide receiver contract in NFL history this offseason.”

“Left practice on Tuesday with groin soreness Rams WR Puka Nacua , who left practice while walking with a trainer, is dealing with minor soreness in his groin, I'm told.”

“He was also 5th in target share (28%), 11th in air yards share (35%), and 4th in yards per route run behind Puka Nacua , Jaxon Smith-Njigba , and Luther Burden III .”

“Fantasy Football Research & Advice Fantasy Football Expert Rankings 2026 Fantasy Football Draft Kit Fantasy Football Trade Analyzer Fantasy Football Draft Strategy: Pick 1.04 Players to Consider at 1.04 Fantasy Football Draft Pick These players will likely be available when you make your selection: Ja’Marr Chase (WR – CIN) Puka Nacua (WR – LAR) Jaxon Smith-Njigba (WR – SEA) Christian McCaffrey (RB – SF) It’s fair to assume at least one of Bijan Robinson or Jahmyr Gibbs will be gone, if not both, as they’re the consensus top two picks.”

“Puka Nacua (WR – LAR) could be a season-defining player if he hits his ceiling. In his healthy games last year he averaged 24.7 PPR points per game, and simply flipping the receiving touchdown gap with a teammate would have pushed that number past 26 points per game, a mark no receiver has hit in a full season dating back to 2013.”

“Perhaps with an improving defense the Rams don’t go quite as pass-heavy this year, but Sean McVay has nearly always been aggressive and while Matthew Stafford is healthy, Nacua deserves to be a top pick.”

“Nacua’s 33% TPRR, 3.71 YPRR, and 0.179 1D/RR all led the NFL and Jaxon Smith-Njigba was the only receiver in the same universe. The fact that Nacua finished as the overall WR1 while running fewer routes than Troy Franklin, Andrei Iosivas , and Elic Ayomanor is astounding, and makes you wonder what he could do if the stars aligned for him to run 550-600 routes in 2026.”

“Having Davante Adams and Puka Nacua has elevated his fantasy value, and the Rams are built to make one more run with Stafford under center.”

“Among all pass catchers, McBride trailed only Puka Nacua in receptions.”

“Not in the chart but still very relevant is that in the 27 instances of guys finishing top 24 yet running under 80% of their team’s routes, we have 4 seasons of Mike McDaniel WRs, and two seasons of Puka Nacua’s insane efficiency to take into consideration.”

“Round 1: Puka Nacua (WR – LAR) The counter-pick was Puka Nacua , ranked as the top overall wide receiver ahead of the field’s other top options. Only two players outscored him in fantasy points per game last year, and neither was one of the running backs typically drafted with the first or second overall pick.”

“Rams WR Puka Nacua came in as the fourth-best receiver in the same poll: “Strong hands, contact balance, ability to block in the run game, run after the catch, run through the catch, can go get it, can play any spot,” an NFL coordinator said.”

“Off the field, Puka Nacua hasn’t had a great offseason, and the Rams seem to be slightly hesitant to extend him, with reports suggesting that’s not in their immediate plans despite Nacua being extension-eligible and watching Jaxon Smith-Njigba reset the market.”