Aaron Dobson

Early years

Dobson was born in Dunbar, West Virginia. He attended South Charleston High School in South Charleston, West Virginia, and played high school football and high school basketball for the South Charleston Black Eagles. He recorded 45 receptions for 1,298 yards and 17 touchdowns as a senior and added seven interceptions on defense, and finished his high school career with 108 receptions, 2,365 yards and 32 touchdowns. He had 10 interceptions, two of which he returned for touchdowns, and was a member of the 2008 MSAC Championship team and 2008 West Virginia AAA State Championship, which finished with a 14-0 record.

In 2009, he played for USA Football's U.S. Under-19 National Team that won the 2009 IFAF Under-19 World Championship in Canton, Ohio, where he was teammates with future New York Giants running back, David Wilson.

College career

Dobson attended Marshall University, where he played for the Marshall Thundering Herd football team from 2009 to 2012. During his college career, Dobson had 165 receptions for 2,398 yards and 24 touchdowns. As a junior in 2011, he was the MVP of the 2011 Beef 'O' Brady's Bowl. During Dobson's senior season he was targeted 92 times and did not record a single drop. He ended his Marshall senior season being named 2nd team All-Conference USA and being invited to play in the Senior Bowl.

Dobson gained recognition in 2011 during a game against East Carolina, when he had a one-handed backhand catch for a touchdown in the second quarter. The play went viral and was ranked second on ESPN's Top 10 Plays of the Year.

2013 season

The New England Patriots selected Dobson in the second round, with the 59th overall pick, of the 2013 NFL Draft. He signed a four-year, $3.4 million contract. His first career catch was for a touchdown against the New York Jets in Week 2. In a Week 9 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers, he had the first 100-yard game of his career. He caught five passes for 130 yards and two touchdowns. He suffered a foot injury in week 12 against the Broncos and missed weeks 13-15. He appeared in 12 games (nine starts) with 519 receiving yards and four touchdowns during his rookie campaign in 2013.

2014 season

Dobson was inactive for eight of the first twelve weeks of the season before injuring his hamstring against the Green Bay Packers in Week 13. On December 4, 2014, he was placed on injured reserve. With Dobson on IR, the Patriots won Super Bowl XLIX after they defeated the defending champion Seattle Seahawks, 28-24.

2015 season

Dobson was active for Week 1 against the Steelers on September 10. He played sparingly recording one reception for nine yards. In the second week, against the Buffalo Bills, he tied a career-high with seven catches, for 87 yards. He recorded a 17-yard pass from quarterback Tom Brady in a 20-13 win over the Bills in Week 11; on the play, he injured his ankle and had to leave the game. He was diagnosed with a high ankle sprain, and on November 26, 2015, the Patriots placed him on injured reserve, ending his season.

2016 season

On September 3, 2016, Dobson was released by the Patriots as part of final roster cuts.

Detroit Lions

On September 21, 2016, Dobson was signed by the Detroit Lions. He was released on September 24, 2016. On September 27, 2016, he was re-signed by the Lions. He was released again on October 8, 2016.

Arizona Cardinals

On January 5, 2017, Dobson signed a reserve/future contract with the Arizona Cardinals. He was placed on injured reserve on September 2, 2017. He was released on September 6, 2017.