Seahawks: Bold Predictions for Each 2017 Draftee
By Ben Renner
Amara Darboh becomes a nifty red zone target and makes a circus catch in Week Seven
In a close game against the New York Giants, Seahawks receiver Amara Darboh, by this point a member of the slot-by-committee approach offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell takes throughout the season, will make a ridiculous touchdown catch a la Paul Richardson. Even Odell Beckham will mouth “wow” on the sidelines in plain view of the television audience.
Seriously though, Darboh possesses the size and tenacity of an NFL receiver. While he may be a step slow against NFL corners, he’ll fight smaller defenders for the ball. The wide receiver position behind Baldwin and Tyler Lockett appears wide open, with Jermaine Kearse falling out of favor last year and everyone else either inexperienced or injury-prone.
Darboh comes to camp prepared, turns heads, and eventually does his part in improving the sad state the Seahawks red zone offense was in last year. At 6’1″ 216 pounds, he’s no tight end, but if defenses start to close down on Jimmy Graham by Week Seven (I think Graham will see many more targets next season from Wilson inside the 20), Darboh could reap the benefits. He’s made difficult catches in traffic in college (see picture, above). Matched up against linebackers, safeties, and third or fourth-string cornerbacks, he could make a few catches like the circus grab he’ll make against the Giants.
At the very least, Darboh hopefully will push a receivers’ group that has more questions than answers at this point. Maybe a fresh rookie fighting for his roster spot will light a fire under Kearse, who knows? Darboh could be a part of this red zone offense.