The Seahawks selected Darrell Jackson in the third round of the 2000 draft, then a year later they used their first-round pick on another receiver, Koren Robinson, causing Jackson to have to, as he would describe it after his career had ended, “play the second fiddle” for a while.  

And while Robinson enjoyed success in Seattle, including a 1,240-yard season in his second of four years with the Seahawks, it was Jackson who became one of Matt Hasselbeck’s favorite targets over the course of his seven-year career in Seattle.  

“Darrell Jackson was a blue-collar guy,” said longtime Seahawks beat reporter Clare Farnsworth. “Whatever you needed, he would do—block, catch the ball over the middle.”

Jackson eclipsed 1,000 yards three times in his first five seasons  before injuries limited him to six games in 2005—he still put up 482 yards on 38 catches in that shortened season—and he was also a standout in the postseason, totaling 503 yards and three touchdowns in seven playoff games, including 268 yards and two touchdowns in the 2005 postseason as the Seahawks reached the Super Bowl for the first time. And yes, it should have been three touchdowns if not for a dubious offensive pass interference call in Super Bowl XL.  

In his seven seasons in Seattle, Jackson compiled 6,445 receiving yards, which ranks fifth in franchise history, as well as 47 receiving touchdowns, which ranks fourth, and 441 catches, which ranks sixth.  

“A key part of the first Super Bowl team,” said Seattle Time Seahawks beat reporter Bob Condotta. “What everyone remembers most about Darrell Jackson was his ability to make big plays at key times. He was a really big play maker.”