KC Concepcion a Natural Fit Alongside Jaxon Smith-Njigba
Drafting Smith-Njigba in the first round back in 2023 worked out well for the Seahawks, but Schneider needs to find a long-term complement for the star pass-catcher.
Concepcion fits the bill because, as McShay put it, the prospect “has just adequate size but he could make an immediate impact. He uncovers in a flash in the short to intermediate passing game and excels with the ball in his hands after the catch, as a runner, and in the return game.”
The after-catch skills McShay referenced also stood out to ESPN’s Mina Kimes. She noted how there were “lots of yards left on the field. Dude was open all day vs Notre Dame. Drops are an issue on his tape but separation at all three levels is.”
Concepcion’s speed once he gets the ball in his hands was obvious on this touchdown catch and run against UTSA last season.
Having the 21-year-old work the middle of the field can make him the chain-mover to eventually succeed Cooper Kupp. The decorated veteran proved he can still thrive by producing a historic performance against the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LX, but Kupp is also 32 and a free agent two years from now.
Schneider needs a succession plan for Kupp. The Seahawks also need an underneath complement for Smith-Njigba and another field-stretcher set for a bigger role in the rotation.
Seahawks Still Need Wide Receiver Help
As things stand, Rashid Shaheed is the only Seahawks receiver with enough of a big-play threat to take some coverage away from Smith-Njigba. That ability to beat defenses deep is a compelling reason why the Seahawks are giving Shaheed $51 million over three years.
Shaheed can force teams to keep safeties deep and leave intermediate areas open for Smith-Njigba. It’s an effective dynamic, but the Seahawks may wish to make room for another over-the-middle playmaker, particularly when Smith-Njigba took his game to a new level by going vertical outside the numbers more often last season.
The Seahawks have space for another game-breaking receiver next to JSN, and it’s unlikely to be the special teams demon who just earned a pay rise. Instead, Concepcion represents a smart, future-proof pick.