The Seattle Seahawks (5-2) will visit the Washington Commanders (3-4) in Week 9. Here’s the latest fantasy football news and advice to help you with your lineups this week and moving forward, specifically regarding WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba.
Is Smith-Njigba Playing in Week 9?
Smith-Njigba is not on the injury report, and barring a surprise, he is expected to play.
We’ll continue to monitor the Seahawks’ injury report leading up to kickoff for any changes. You can also visit and bookmark our Fantasy News Tracker for the latest updates.
Should You Start or Sit Smith-Njigba in Week 9?
We spent time worrying this summer about what a move out of the slot would mean for Jaxon Smith-Njigba, with Seattle moving on from the receivers that they had banked on for years, thus elevating JSN into a truly featured role.
We nailed the “out of the slot” portion of that.
The “worrying” part? That was silly.
Smith-Njigba’s slot usage has fallen from 77.4% of routes to 19.4%. The loss of those “easier” targets hasn’t mattered in the least.
His average depth of target is up 41.3% from a season ago, and it hasn’t stopped him from earning 10 looks per game. He had a 40-yard catch in each of his first six games this season and has scored in three straight, following his TD in Week 7 against the Texans with an easy dunk on the uprights all in one motion from his route, an impressive athletic feat for a six-footer wearing pads.
I think a 38.3% target share and a 46.3% receiving yardage share (he has 819 receiving yards and is the only Seahawks at even 300) are probably high-water marks. I have a hard time not penciling in some regression, but even some backtracking keeps him EASILY inside the top 10 the rest of the way.
He’s a matchup-proof alpha. The numbers figure to continue to pile up this week and moving forward, giving you great value based on his preseason ADP.
Whispers… He faces the Panthers in Week 17, giving him every chance to not only be the reason your team makes the playoffs, but the reason you win the whole thing.
Are you looking for start/sit advice for other players in your lineup? Read our Fantasy Football Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em Cheat Sheet.
Smith-Njigba’s Fantasy Points Projection in Week 9
Smith-Njigba is projected to score 20.9 fantasy points in PPR formats.
We project Smith-Njigba to have 9 receptions for 91 yards and 0.5 touchdowns. Smith-Njigba could also add 1 rushing yard.
Check out the free PFSN Fantasy Start-Sit Optimizer for the latest projections and advice for your lineups this week.
Week 9 Weather Impact: Seahawks at Commanders
The forecast for kickoff is 54 degrees Fahrenheit with 4 mph winds. These are ideal conditions for fantasy production.