Weeks before the NFL Draft, the Seattle Seahawks let Riq Woolen walk away in free agency, and choosing Josh Jobe over him was a somewhat easy decision, given how things ended for both last season. They gave him a three-year, $29.2 million contract and, on paper, a vote of confidence to be the starter opposite Devon Witherspoon.
Even so, this team lacked depth at cornerback, so adding someone else in the NFL Draft makes perfect sense. Still, as much as they had already committed to him, perhaps he didn't expect them to take two potential replacements.
As much as Jobe shouldn't face a legitimate threat to lose his job to two rookies, watching general manager John Schneider roll the dice on Julian Neal and Andre Fuller may have rubbed him the wrong way. However, that should only bring out the best in him.
Josh Jobe has to keep earning his reps with the Seattle Seahawks
Jobe is coming off a strong campaign. He made 16 appearances (15 starts), logging 54 total tackles (41 solo), two QB hits, and a career-high 12 passes defensed. He posted career bests in completion percentage allowed (49.5) and yards allowed per reception (11.5), giving up 45 receptions for 517 yards and four touchdowns.
He was also a much more reliable option in coverage than Woolen, who regressed every year after his impressive rookie campaign. That said, that should also keep Jobe on his toes, as he knows Super Bowl-caliber teams are pragmatic rather than emotional, and they won't hesitate to move on from him as well if he doesn't bring his A-Game every week.
On paper, Jobe should love his chances against two rookies, especially a Day-3 selection who may not even make the final roster. Neal, on the other hand, has all the physical tools to be an absolute bully in the boundary, and with Witherspoon all but locked in on one side of the secondary, he's going to aim for Jobe's job every single day.
As a former undrafted free agent and practice squad player, Jobe knows what it takes to get everything out of the mud and fight for his job security in every rep. He also knows that no one is above anyone else, and everything he fought for can go away in the blink of an eye.
The Seahawks' "Dark Side" defense will look quite different next season, as Coby Bryant also left in free agency. Now, it's up to Jobe to make sure they don't have a different starting CB alongside Witherspoon and Nick Emmanwori by the end of next season.
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