From now until the 2023 NFL Draft, we will scout and create profiles for as many prospects as possible, examining their strengths, weaknesses, and what they can bring to an NFL franchise. These players could be potential top-10 picks, all the way down to Day 3 selections and priority undrafted free agents. Today, I’ll be profiling UCLA WR Jake Bobo.
#9 Jake Bobo/WR UCLA – 6040, 206 lbs. (Senior)
Senior Bowl/NFL Combine
MEASUREMENTS
| Player | Ht/Wt | Hand Size | Arm Length | Wingspan |
| Jake Bobo | 6040, 206 | 10 | 32 1/4 | 78 1/4 |
| 40-Yard Dash | 10-Yard Dash | Short Shuttle | 3-Cone | |
| 4.99 | 1.76 | 4.40 | 7.09 | |
| Broad Jump | Vertical | Bench Press | ||
| 9’9″ | 36 | DNP |
THE GOOD
— Quick release off the line
— Good hands and a large catch radius results in high percentage of targets caught; low drop rate
— Excellent footwork improves his ability to get open
— Effective run blocker
— Versatility, lining up in the slot and outside
— Experience returning kicks and punts
— Good situational awareness
— Able to improvise when the play breaks down
— Does not cause penalties
—Excellent ball security
—Durable player who started every game the past three seasons
THE BAD
— Lacks elite speed to create separation and take the top off the defense
—Does not always track the ball in the air on fade routes, particularly in the red zone
—Low contested-catch success rate on deep balls
—Limited explosive plays
—Older player, will turn 25 prior to the start of 2023 season
BIO
— 24 years old, will turn 25 in August
— 2022: 57 receptions, 817 yards (14.3 YPC), 7 TDs
— Career: 183 receptions, 2258 yards (12.3 YPC), 10 TDs
— Three-star recruit from Belmont High School in Andover, MA; lettered four years in football as well as basketball and track and field
— Comes from a family of athletes; father, Mike, is the OC and QB coach of the Georgia Bulldogs; and an aunt won a bronze medal with the U.S. Olympic women’s hockey team
— Graduated with an economics degree from Duke and was an Academic All-ACC selection in final two years in addition to other academic awards
— Enrolled in graduate programs at UCLA and was named to Academic All-District Team; earned a spot on the Athletic Director’s Honor Roll and Pac-12 Fall Academic Honor Roll
TAPE BREAKDOWN
After four years at Duke — with four different quarterbacks -Jake Bobo transferred to UCLA for his final season of eligibility and quickly developed rapport with Bruins quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson. Bobo found success in Chip Kelly’s offense and had his best statistical season. Playing in the slot on 40% of his receiving snaps, Bobo demonstrated versatility. Wherever he lined up, he provided a reliable outlet to his quarterback on third downs:
When the wide receiver is not getting targeted, he is an able and willing blocker, particularly in the run game (at the top of the screen):
While he doesn’t have top-end speed, Bobo shows quick burst off the line and uses his footwork to evade defenders, as shown here:
Despite sharing the field with a quarterback who was not always accurate with his passes, Bobo caught 67.9% of his targets for UCLA. He was credited with only six drops in the 2022 season for a rate of just 6.6%. His stat sheet shows only one fumble in the five years of his NCAA career. Watching his tape, it is clear that hand size and strength contribute to this success. He shows good hand-eye coordination and maintains control of the ball through the play.
Bobo is a smooth route runner who has a gliding motion and can get in and out of his breaks easily. Even without great straight-line speed, he is able to get past defenders using his footwork and seems to get open on most plays. Even with some of the simpler routes that he ran at Duke, he was able to get free:
At UCLA, he elevated that part of his game:
One area where I would like to see Bobo improve at the next level is yards after the catch. At 6’4” he could use his size more effectively, which could translate to YAC (he only averaged only 4.6 yards after catch per reception). This is also true of contested catches, of which he only won the battle on 59% of contested targets.
His many academic achievements certainly translate on the field. Bobo has excellent awareness of situational football, as he showed here against Oregon. Down 38-16, he made a sliding catch on 4th and 8 at the start of the 4th quarter. Knowing that the play might be reviewed, Bobo quickly handed the ball to the official and the Bruins ran the next play before there could be a question of overturning the play.
CONCLUSION
Jake Bobo lacks the true athleticism that separates the elite wide receivers in the NFL from the pack. With his high football IQ, excellent hands and footwork, his ability to run routes, and his versatility, he could serve teams well as the #3 receiver as well as a backup on kick and punt returns. His draft stock may have taken a hit with his choice to forgo most of the drills at the Combine and a rainy Pro Day, so he could be a value pick on the final day of the draft.
Projection: Mid-Day Three
Depot Draft Grade: 6.2 – Backup/Special Teamer (6th Round)
Games Watched: Washington (2022), at Oregon (2022), Pittsburgh (2022), Kansas (2021)
