NFL player prop: Rookie beast set to feast

While the Lions and Cowboys are customary fare on Thanksgiving, this year’s NBC nightcap features the Seahawks hosting for the first time in franchise history. They have served as Turkey Day guests in four previous games, with the most recent taking place nine years ago against this same opponent, the 49ers. If Seattle is going to celebrate an upset victory like it did then, a key player figures to be the one we’re backing for our top prop:

The bet: Over 36½ receiving yards for Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (DraftKings)

Despite playing just three games for Ohio State last year due to a hamstring injury, Smith-Njigba was made a first-round pick. His draft stock had remained high thanks to a stellar sophomore season in 2021, when he topped 1,600 receiving yards and averaged 124 per game.

After limited production over the first month of his rookie campaign, Smith-Njigba has enjoyed a nice post-bye bounce. He has cleared this number in five of his last six games, staying under by just a yard the one time he didn’t. His modest 40-yard outing in last week’s loss to the Rams would’ve been bigger, but a 23-yard completion was overturned because his second foot wasn’t completely in bounds.

Since the 49ers own the league’s third-ranked run defense, most opponents elect to attack through the air. Three recent receivers have hit the century mark against them, with fellow rookie Jordan Addison of the Vikings (123 yards) leading the way.

Assuming Geno Smith can play through some discomfort in his throwing elbow, he should regularly dial up JSN.