The speedster hasn’t had the same impact to open this season, with just two games of 75-plus yards and two scores in nine games.
We could see some fireworks from Sam Darnold with Shaheed now playing alongside JSN. The speed the newly acquired wideout brings is exactly the type of over-the-top weapon that the Seahawks needed. With Cooper Kupp battling injuries, the Seahawks added a playmaker to make an already good offense even better.
Smith-Njigba will still be the go-to target, but having Shaheed’s ability to take the top off defenses will provide the second-year pro even more open grass to work with.
When everyone is healthy, the 6-2 Seahawks will boast a diverse, potent pass-catching corps with JSN, Shaheed, Kupp and rookie Tory Horton. Toss in tight ends AJ Barner and Elijah Arroyo, and, if the protection holds up, Darnold could have a field day down the stretch.
For the rebuilding Saints, getting a pair of draft picks for a player in the final year of his contract makes sense. New Orleans entered the day with just six selections in 2026. For a club in need of a youth infusion, adding two more lotto tickets was paramount. It’ll sting for rookie QB Tyler Shough the rest of the season, but it was the right call for the long-term.
