A New Era for Tight Ends
Jaxon Smith-Njigba emerged as the centerpiece of a fantasy football season that many described as a near-miss for the championship, finishing with a league-winning performance that left commentators scrambling for superlatives.
The only player who came close to matching his output was Puca Nacua, a rookie who entered the draft in the late-second/early-third round and quickly proved he could compete at the same level.
What makes Smith-Njigba’s numbers even more intriguing is the context in which they were produced: the NFL’s growing fascination with multiple-tight-end formations, a scheme that promises more targets but also creates uncertainty for players who rely on a high volume of looks.
Seattle’s coaching staff was among the first to experiment with heavy packages last season, deploying extra tight ends to exploit mismatches and generate big-chunk plays. That early adoption suggests the team sees Smith-Njigba as a cornerstone of a new offensive identity.
Analysts from Yahoo Sports, Matt Harmon and Nate Tice, have noted that teams are increasingly looking for explosive plays when they stack tight ends on the field, a trend that could keep elite receivers like Smith-Njigba in the spotlight.
Looking ahead to 2026, the expectation is that the tight-end-heavy approach will continue to flourish, giving players with Smith-Njigba’s size and route-running ability the chance to thrive despite the shifting tactical landscape.