Jake Bobo
Summary
Jake Bobo went undrafted in the 2023 Class out of UCLA. Bobo brings a unique blend of size, strong hands, intelligence, and positional flexibility. He doesn’t project as the fastest or most explosive receiver, but his strengths align with what many teams covet for moldable, reliable pass-catchers. His success will depend on maximizing his traits (catch radius, blocking effort, situational awareness) and finding a scheme that accentuates them. With good coaching and role fit, he could carve out a meaningful role in the NFL; without that, he may settle into a complementary rather than starring role.
Strengths
Size & catch radius: At 6′4″ with long arms, Bobo presents a large target for quarterbacks. His strong hands / large catch radius and ability to track the deep ball over either shoulder and bring in passes fluidly is a plus for him. NFL Draft Buzz
Reliable hands & contested catches: He demonstrates good concentration and ability to come down with difficult catches when defended. At UCLA he posted a strong stat line (54 catches for 789 yards and 7 touchdowns in 2022) showing his ability to become a reliable target. NFL Draft Buzz
Route awareness and mid-field effectiveness: While not a pure burner, Bobo shows ability to find soft spots in coverage, adjust his path, and create separation in intermediate ranges. Bobo knows where he is on the field and uses his frame to shield defenders and makes the difficult catch. PFSN
Versatility and high football IQ: He earned praise for his football intelligence and effort, which helped him overcome being undrafted. For example, Seahawks coach calling him “a special football player” after observing his blocking and situational awareness. His college career included significant production despite being older than typical rookie entry, suggesting maturity. CBS Sports
Weaknesses
Top-end straight-line speed / deep-threat ability: Pedestrian 40-yard dash time (reported ~4.99s) ranked very low and lacks the elite top-end speed to threaten the top of the defense. NFL Draft Buzz
Separation & explosive burst in press / short-area: Though he creates separation in intermediate zones, his quickness, change of direction, and sharp double-moves are less dynamic than many elite receivers. Some reports note he is “more quick than fast” and will struggle to separate on deeper routes against top competition. SI
Blocking consistency and physicality vs elite defenders: One draft profile noted that while his size is good, his blocking technique (especially lower-body pad level, angles) needs refinement. Given his build and speed limitations, he may not always out-muscle or outrun cornerbacks on the outside, limiting some roles. NFL Draft Buzz
Age & developmental timeline: Entered the NFL older than many rookies (born 1998 → older rookie age). Some draft services flagged this as a factor. With less elite traits in certain categories, his ceiling may depend heavily on scheme fit and maximizing his strengths rather than being an every-down “alpha” outside receiver.
Fit & Outlook
Bobo projects as a valuable rotational / situational wide receiver with strong potential if used correctly. He fits best as a possession or boundary target who uses size and reliability over pure speed, particularly in intermediate and high-leverage situations (third downs, red zone). In a complementary role alongside a more explosive wideout, where his strengths (hands, size, tracking) can be prioritized. On special teams or in blocking duty early, his work ethic and versatility give him value while he develops more refined receiver craft. If he continues to refine his route-running, improve his burst to gain more consistent separation, and builds rapport in his offense, Bobo could develop into a reliable WR2. If not, his floor remains solid as a dependable WR3 / situational pass-catcher with special-teams value.