Chiefs prepare to face NFL receiving leader Jaxon Smith-Njigba

Kansas City defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo praised Seattle receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba as the Chiefs prepared for their Sunday night matchup with the Seahawks. Smith-Njigba leads the NFL in receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns.

The reigning AP offensive player of the year has recorded 49 catches for 717 yards and seven touchdowns through six games. His season-low performance came against the Chargers on Oct. 4, when he finished with five receptions for 76 yards in a Seattle victory.

“He’s elite, really elite,” Spagnuolo said at his Thursday press conference, according to a team transcript. He said Kansas City had considerable respect for the receiver.

Spagnuolo also said people he had spoken with described Smith-Njigba as a person of high character. He said that quality, combined with the receiver’s talent, made him a difficult opponent to defend.