1) Introduction: A fractured leg in 2013 caused Randall Cobb to miss the majority of the season. Before the 2014 season started Cobb opted to not go for a contract extension in hopes that 2014 would show more of the very good and consistent receiver he can be instead of the flashes of potential he had shown in his first three seasons.
2) Profile:
Randall Cobb
- Age: 24
- Born: 8/22/1990 in Maryville, TN
- Height: 5’10”
- Weight: 192
- College: Kentucky
- Rookie Year: 2011
- NFL Experience: 4 years
3) Expectations coming into the season: If Cobb and Rodgers both stayed healthy this year, Cobb was expected to take a big step forward and put himself into one of the top tiers of receivers in the NFL. His reliable hands and big play making capability were supposed to play a major role in helping the Packers maintain their elite passing offense. How he would be used was a question mark coming into the season. His versatility as an outside and slot receiver who could also play in the backfield and return kicks and punts made him a bit of a wildcard.
4) Player’s highlights/low-lights: Cobb had ten touchdowns in his first nine games, becoming the most dangerous threat in the NFL out of the slot. His biggest game however game against Dallas in the playoffs where he routinely made big catches, including a fantastic diving catch to seal the game on a tipped pass intended for Davante Adams. His low-light has to be after recording ten touchdowns in the first nine games of the season, Cobb would not catch another touchdown until week 17 against the Detroit Lions. Touchdowns are a fluky thing so it is hard to hold that against him, many factors go into scoring touchdowns that are out of a player’s control. However as one of the premier slot receivers in the red zone in the NFL as well as a very important part of the Packers red zone success, it would be nice to see him not go six games without a touchdown.
5) Player’s contribution to the overall team success: If Jordy Nelson is the number one receiver on the team, it is hard to call Cobb anything but the 1B receiver. He was consistently targeted by Rodgers and gained his trust as the number one redzone receiving threat for the Packers. Cobb led the NFL in touchdowns from the slot by a large margin with 12. The second and third most touchdowns by a receiver from the slot combined for 13 total touchdowns. Cobb also led the NFL in passer rating on passes intended for him and despite playing in the slot, he was third in the NFL in 20+ yard receptions. There is no doubt that Cobb is one of the most dangerous players on the offense and one of the most important players on the team. If he leaves next season, the offense will struggle to recover.
6) Player’s contributions in the playoffs: Cobb was fantastic in the playoffs this year. Against Dallas Cobb caught eight of eleven passes for 116 yards, including three huge catches. One catch to help setup a field goal at the end of the first half, another to move the chains on a big play to setup a second half score, and finally the clutch catch on a tipped pass to seal the game. Against Seattle Cobb caught seven of the ten passes thrown his way for 62 yards and was on the receiving end of the only touchdown pass Rodgers would throw that day.
7) Intangibles: Cobb’s ability to catch pretty much anything thrown at him and then turn that into a big play has allowed Aaron Rodgers to develop a strong bond with him. The threat he posses from the slot, in terms of his success and allowing success for other receivers by demanding attention, cannot be underestimated.
Season Report Card (Player Grades):
(A) Level of expectations met during the season
(A) Contributions to team’s overall success.
(A) Contributions to team during the playoffs
Overall Grade: A
——————Mike Reuter lives in the Twin Cities and is a graduate of the University of St. Thomas. He is a mobile tech enthusiast, a 19 year Gopher Football season ticket holder and a huge Packers fan. Mike is a writer with AllGreenBayPackers.com and you can follow him on twitter at @uofmike.
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Hmmm, I expected RC grade, considering JJ grade you gave previous article…
A prime example of how important it is to surround an HOF-caliber QB with great talent. Some would say that ARod makes his receivers that much better, but imagine what Brett Favre’s career numbers would have looked like if he were throwing to Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb every week instead of Antonio Freeman and Robert Brooks.
If the Packers don’t pay Cobb (and I can’t imagine they won’t), they better have an awfully good plan B in the works…
How good would Freeman have been if he had Rodgers throwing to him instead of having to make circus catches? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQmyLLxRNcA
Good counterpoint…
Agree with the grades, and the comments for the most part. In fact, for the 1st three games, many were wondering if Cobb had lost a bit of his quickness due to the injury but that was covered by his 3 TD receptions in the first 3 games. Soon thereafter Cobb started to show the explosion and better ability to separate. $9 million average per year, or a bit less, is fine by me.
As a note, Favre had some really substandard WRs some years. 2005: Driver (1221 yds) and Antonio, wait for it, Chatman (549 yds). Chatman left GB and went on to catch 43 more passes in the NFL over the next 3 years. 2006: Driver (1295 yds) and rookie Greg Jennings (632). 2003: Javon Walker and Driver (716 and 621 yards). 2001 (Bill Schroeder, aging Freeman – talk about making your receivers).
I agree with the grade but that doesn’t matter. What matters is that the Packers sign him. After Aaron Rodgers, Cobb is the best player on the Packers offense. His ability to play from anywhere in the formation, great hands, get open and knowledge of the offense make him a very special player. It would take the Packers 2-3 seasons to get another player to where Cobb is now and even then the player may not be as good as Cobb. Keep as much of this offense together as possible. Do what it takes to pay him even the franchise tag. Losing Cobb would seriously hurt the Packers offense. TT likes to sign his own FAs. TT time to get it done for one of our best players and one of the best in the league Go Pack Go! Thanks, Since ’61
Agree. Hands down, the best pick since Aaron.
Had a great year at exactly the right time. May prove to be the single largest factor in not getting a deal done with Cobb. We lose significant horsepower without Cobb in the mix. Do we waste another Aaron Rodgers year training a new slot weapon or do we pay the man? TT has a bugger of a job.