The NFL Top 100 Players of 2026 is nearing its conclusion, and the No. 1 player will be revealed soon. But before reaching the mountaintop, the fifth-best player has been announced: Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba.
The fourth-year player from Ohio State deserves the recognition after a magnificent 2025 season. However, some NFL fans are triggered by the fact that four players rank higher than Smith-Njigba, including a former league MVP.
Football Fans Cannot Believe That Jaxon Smith-Njigba Is Ranked Behind Josh Allen
The NFL Top 100 rankings are based on an offseason poll wherein the players vote for their contemporaries. In addition to a player’s overall impact on the team, individual accolades put much weight on how the rankings unfold.
In the video announcing Smith-Njigba as the NFL’s fifth-best player heading into the 2026 season, several players like Seahawks linebacker Drake Thomas, Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Cooper DeJean, Atlanta Falcons running back Trey Sermon, San Francisco 49ers fullback Kyle Juszczyk, and Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud have no qualms about giving Smith-Njigba the number one spot.
Still, the reigning NFL Offensive Player of the Year was four spots short of the summit, which prompted an NFL fan to react:
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“JSN at 5 is wild. Put this man on any other team, and he’s top 3,” one fan wrote on X.
JSN at 5 is wild. put this man on any other team, and he’s top 3
— wheretowatchsports (@WTWSportsLive) August 31, 2026
“Lowkey thought he was top 2 least,” another fan said.
Lowkey thought he was top 2 least
— Flockione♈️🌪💕📲 (@FlockiooDaTalk) August 31, 2026
Last season, the Seahawks made Smith-Njigba their primary wide receiver after trading DK Metcalf to the Pittsburgh Steelers. In return, the 20th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft repaid that trust by finishing the regular season with a league-leading 1,793 receiving yards to go with 10 touchdowns.
Those numbers earned him his inaugural First Team All-Pro selection and second Pro Bowl nod. More importantly, Smith-Njigba and the Seahawks capped off the season by defeating the New England Patriots in Super Bowl 60.
Smith-Njigba’s efforts also paid off when he agreed to a four-year, $168.6 million contract extension, making him the highest-paid wide receiver in NFL history.
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Interestingly, some remarks about Jaxon Smith-Njigba’s ranking involved 2024 NFL MVP Josh Allen. Another fan commented, “HOW IS JOSH ALLEN ABOVE JSN LMFAOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.”
HOW IS JOSH ALLEN ABOVE JSN LMFAOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
— 🐦⬛🔥 (@LamarsThatGuy) August 31, 2026
“They did JSN foul Josh Allen should not be higher than him lmaoo,” another football fan quipped.
They did JSN foul Josh Allen should not be higher than him lmaoo
— michelle (@millzbeee) August 31, 2026
“Josh Allen has some CRAZY PR stunt,” one fan added.
Finally, another commenter would rather have the NFL Top 100 list retired, as with the Pro Bowl.
lmao Allen above him, retire it like the pro bowl
— warmzeracs (@warmzera2) August 31, 2026
In addition to Allen and Smith-Njigba, Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson, and Rams defensive end Myles Garrett complete the top 5.
Josh Allen still deserves some respect
While Smith-Njigba’s 2025 achievements are exceptional, Allen remains one of the league’s best quarterbacks. Following his MVP season, Allen tallied 3,668 passing yards, 579 rushing yards, and 39 total touchdowns (25 passing, 14 rushing).
These numbers had him finishing third in the MVP race behind eventual winner Stafford and runner-up Drake Maye. Allen also ranks ninth in Pro Football Network’s Quarterback Impact Rankings.
But take away his numbers, and the Buffalo Bills might find it difficult to win games. Running back James Cook may have had a breakout 2025 campaign, but Allen remains the team’s heart and soul.
