Seahawks Rookie Class Receives Grade; Who Was 'Pleasant Surprise'?
Jake Bobo was an undrafted free agent who was given a lifeline by the Seattle Seahawks last offseason, and he didn't waste it.
Bobo was one of the biggest success stories for the Seahawks after his training camp and preseason game efforts made the Seattle coaching staff take notice.
He was rewarded with a spot on the active roster and saw the field several times during the regular season. As such, he helped add to NFL.com's rookie rankings in which the Seahawks draft class received a B+ for their efforts this season, Bobo was due some praise.
© Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports
"Bobo was a pleasant surprise, earning the No. 4 WR role out of training camp and providing some highlight-reel catches, including a one-handed TD grab against the Cardinals," NFL.com wrote. "With his three TDs on a mere 20 touches, quality blocking and special-teams contributions, Bobo was an outstanding value and figures to maintain his role despite the coaching change."
Bobo would play 17 games for the Seahawks as a member of Shane Waldron's offense, and while he didn't start a game, he showed his worth on more than one occasion.
He had a two-game stretch where he was getting into a groove, catching two passes for 43 yards vs. the Cincinnati Bengals and then a week later against the Arizona Cardinals hauling in four catches for 61 yards and a superb touchdown grab.
Bobo would finished his first NFL season with 19 catches for 196 yards and two touchdowns while rushing for one touchdown as well. He was also a decent member of the special teams unit, playing 139 snaps across the season.
It was a season of learning for Bobo, but as an undrafted free agent, the fact that he made the initial roster was impressive enough. To then be trusted when live NFL bullets are flying and repaying that faith is another feather in his cap.
He entered training camp as an unknown commodity and worked his way up to be a viable contributor on offense. That feels like the very definition of a "pleasant surprise" for the Seahawks.
