Jaxon Smith-Njigba vs Trey McBride

“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.”

“Starting WR/WR with Drake London or Nico Collins in round two could let you lean into Zero RB with an elite tight end such as Brock Bowers or Trey McBride .”

“Let’s use last season’s leading TE scorer, Trey McBride , as an example. He scored 315.9 PPR fantasy points last season. In TE-premium, where he gets an extra half-point for each of his 126 receptions, McBride scored 378.9 fantasy points.”

“McBride ran 156 more routes last year than any other tight end. This fact and McBride’s talent fueled plenty of fantasy teams to championships last season. Among 59 qualifying tight ends, McBride was first in target share (25.4%), receiving yards per game (72.9), red zone targets (32), and first-read share (33.8%).”

“Tight end gets a partial exception: he’s comfortable taking Brock Bowers or Colston Loveland at their going rate in the second round, but not Trey McBride, whose value is tied to a huge target total in Arizona that’s likely to shrink now that the Cardinals used a premium pick on a running back.”

“Trey McBride (199.8 half-PPR points) and Brock Bowers (195.5 half-PPR points) are the only tight ends who clear that mark.”

“We are coming off a season in which Trey McBride provided the largest gap in scoring to the TE2 in league history (which does say more about the field than McBride himself), and he was the 11th-best player in scoring per game.”

“Last season’s production was heavily inflated by his 11 touchdowns, tying Trey McBride for the most at the position”

“ADP: -6 It will be hard for Trey McBride to top the year he had in 2025.”

“Loveland is the consensus TE3 for 2026 fantasy drafts behind only Brock Bowers and Trey McBride .”

“From Week 9 on, Loveland was TE2 in fantasy scoring behind only Trey McBride .”

“Round 3: Trey McBride (TE – ARI) I haven’t taken a receiver yet, but with Trey McBride still on the board, he was too good to pass up.”

“Neither should be drafted this high. Last season, McBride averaged 18.6 PPR points per game, and Bowers averaged 15.5 in 2024, the better season of his two years in the NFL.”