The Seattle Seahawks enter the 2026 NFL season carrying the burden that every defending champion must bear: everyone’s best shot. Opposing teams have spent months searching for weaknesses in a roster that climbed to the top of the football world. Yet while much of the national conversation revolves around stars such as Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Cooper Kupp, Leonard Williams, and Byron Murphy II, championship teams are rarely sustained by star power alone. They thrive because lesser-known contributors emerge and transform into indispensable pieces. For Seattle, wide receiver Jake Bobo and edge defender Derick Hall will not generate many headlines. However, both possess the opportunity and skill set necessary to become breakout performers this season.
Doubled down on depth
Seattle approached the offseason with a clear understanding of what it takes to defend a championship. Rather than making splashy moves solely for headlines, the front office focused on maintaining continuity.
Free agency centered on retaining key contributors. The Seahawks extended All-Pro return specialist and receiver Rashid Shaheed. They also brought back important depth pieces such as cornerback Josh Jobe and linebacker Drake Thomas. They supplemented those moves with veteran additions including Dante Fowler Jr, Harrison Bryant, and Emanuel Wilson.
The draft presented a different challenge. Selecting near the end of every round forced Seattle to maximize value rather than chase flashy names. General manager John Schneider responded by assembling an eight-player class designed to reinforce multiple position groups. Running back Jadarian Price added explosiveness to the backfield. Bud Clark and Julian Neal strengthened the secondary. Instead of chasing immediate headlines, Seattle focused on building sustainable depth. That strategy often creates opportunities for overlooked players to emerge.
WR Jake Bobo
Whenever discussions about Seattle’s offense begin, the spotlight naturally falls on JSN, Kupp, and Shaheed. That attention may ultimately create the perfect environment for Jake Bobo to thrive.
Bobo has spent the early stages of his NFL career proving that production is not always tied to elite athletic testing numbers. What he lacks in straight-line speed, he compensates for with exceptional football intelligence and reliability at the catch point.
Standing 6-foot-4, Bobo presents a massive target over the middle of the field. He consistently finds soft spots in zone coverage. More importantly, he has earned the trust of Seattle’s coaching staff. His blocking ability is particularly valuable. Bobo functions almost like an extra tight end on certain snaps. That versatility makes him difficult to remove from the field.
Having Kupp and Shaheed could actually accelerate Bobo’s emergence rather than hinder it. Defenses will naturally dedicate resources to slowing down Smith-Njigba and account for Shaheed’s vertical speed. Kupp will command attention underneath. That leaves favorable matchups available for complementary targets. Bobo is perfectly positioned to capitalize.
A season featuring 60-plus receptions and a major red-zone role is no longer difficult to envision.
LB Derick Hall
On the defensive side, Derick Hall may be the most intriguing breakout candidate. The departure of Boye Mafe creates a substantial opening in the edge rotation. Hall appears poised to inherit a much larger workload. Sure, veteran DeMarcus Lawrence brings leadership and experience. Still, the Seahawks need another explosive pass-rushing threat opposite their established stars.
Hall’s physical tools have never been questioned. He possesses outstanding burst off the edge and the strength to convert speed into power. The challenge has been translating those traits into consistent production. Now, circumstances are aligning in his favor.
Macdonald’s defensive system thrives when multiple pass rushers can attack from different angles. Hall’s athletic profile fits perfectly within that philosophy. With Williams and Murphy II commanding attention inside, Hall should encounter far more one-on-one opportunities than he has in previous seasons.
His growth as a run defender should also help him remain on the field for all three downs. Coaches trust players who can contribute in every situation. Hall’s increasing discipline against the run gives him a chance to earn a much larger snap share.
If he refines his pass-rush counters and continues improving technically, double-digit sacks are not out of the question. For a defense already loaded with talent, that possibility is both exciting and potentially terrifying for opponents.
These sleepers matter
Maintaining excellence requires more than repeating previous performances. It requires new contributors to emerge while established stars continue producing at a high level. That is where Bobo and Hall become so important.
Seattle knows what it can expect from Smith-Njigba, Kupp, Williams, and its other household names. The difference between another playoff appearance and a legitimate Super Bowl defense may come down to whether players further down the roster exceed expectations.
Bobo gives the offense another reliable option capable of punishing defenses. Hall offers the defense an opportunity to replace lost pass-rush production. Neither player enters the season carrying enormous expectations.
By the time January arrives, though, both could be playing critical roles. The stars may drive the headlines, but Jake Bobo and Derick Hall might become two of the most important breakout performers in Seattle’s quest for another title.
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