Who is the Fantasy Football WR1 for the Seahawks? Cooper Kupp vs. Jaxon Smith-Njigba (2025)

May 25, 2025

Is Cooper Kupp or Jaxon Smith-Njigba the WR1 for the Seahawks in fantasy football? Joey's outlooks and draft recommendation for Kupp and Smith-Njigba in 2025.

The Seattle Seahawks' offense will look a bit different during the 2025-2026 season. This offseason, Seattle traded away Geno Smith and DK Metcalf and replaced them with Sam Darnold and Cooper Kupp. 

Kupp comes to the Seahawks following eight seasons with the Los Angeles Rams. In his time in Los Angeles, he was a one-time Pro Bowler, a one-time All-Pro wideout, and a Super Bowl MVP. The veteran will now form a strong duo with Jaxon Smith-Njigba in Seattle's passing game. 

But is Kupp or Smith-Njigba the WR1 in this Seahawks offense? Which wideout should fantasy managers select in drafts? Let's dive in and find out. 

• 2025 fantasy football rankings
• Running back (RB) rankings
• Wide receiver (WR) rankings
• Quarterback (QB) rankings
• Tight end (TE) rankings
• Defense (D/ST) rankings
• Kicker (K) rankings
• FLEX rankings
• Dynasty rankings

Cooper Kupp 2025 Fantasy Football Outlook

It was only a few years ago that Kupp was one of the best fantasy wide receivers. He finished as the overall WR1 back in 2021 while scoring a whopping 439.5 PPR fantasy points. However, the Washington native hasn't been as strong of a fantasy option in recent years due to injuries. He has played under 13 games in three straight seasons. 

In 2024, Kupp totaled just 67 catches for 710 yards and six touchdowns across 12 games with the Rams. He is now looking for a fresh start with a new team after playing second-fiddle to Puka Nacua in Los Angeles' offense last season. 

In Week 16, Cooper Kupp faces his former team on #TNFonPrime! 🍿 pic.twitter.com/wW96bHC3Or

— NFL on Prime Video (@NFLonPrime) May 21, 2025

It'll be interesting to see how much Kupp's target rate (29.6%) goes down in Seattle, especially with Darnold under center. Although the former Vikings quarterback is coming off a career year, the wideout is no longer in a pass-friendly offense. Still, he could emerge as a solid WR3 fantasy option in 2025 and become that security blanket in this offense. 

Jaxon Smith-Njigba 2025 Fantasy Football Outlook

Smith-Njigba wasn't a solid fantasy option in his rookie season in 2023, catching just 63 passes for 628 yards and four touchdowns across 17 games. However, the former Ohio State star broke out in his sophomore campaign last season. He totaled 100 catches for 1130 yards and six touchdowns en route to a WR9 PPR fantasy finish. 

Following that breakout campaign, many fantasy managers believe that Smith-Njigba can be an even better fantasy wideout in his third year. He averaged 18.2 fantasy points in his final nine games last season and has the potential to build on that campaign with Darnold as his quarterback. 

Jaxon Smith-Njigba to @johnpboyle:

"I love to play ball, love the Seahawks, love having 'Seahawks' on my chest. Talking to Mike and John, the direction we want to go, I'm all on board with that."

WR1 pic.twitter.com/I4QoxL9LKG

— SleeperSeahawks (@SleeperSeahawks) April 23, 2025

Going from Smith to Darnold could be an adjustment for the 23-year-old, but it shouldn't affect his fantasy value too much. Smith-Njigba ranked fourth in EPA (+95), second in total routes won (248), and seventh in yards after the catch (477) last season. That should all help him again be a strong fantasy option this upcoming season. 

Is Cooper Kupp or Jaxon Smith-Njigba the WR1 for the Seahawks?

Both Kupp and Smith-Njigba will be heavily involved in this new look offense. They will be the top options for Darnold in the passing game and should be solid fantasy plays throughout the year. However, Smith-Njigba will be the WR1 for the Seahawks during the 2025-2026 season. 

He is coming off a breakout year in 2024, and it's hard to imagine that he won't be the featured option in this Seattle offense. Therefore, Smith-Njigba is a fantastic pick early in 2025 fantasy football drafts. The 23-year-old will enter the year as a low-end WR1 in all fantasy formats. 

More Fantasy Football Analysis