Packers need Randall Cobb to be healthy in 2018
Packer nation held their breath when wide receiver Randall Cobb was spotted in a walking boot about a month ago. For now, they can exhale.
On Wednesday, Randall Cobb was spotted without the boot at his football camp, held at the Notre Dame high school in Green Bay. WBAY Sports Director, Chris Roth, caught up with the veteran wideout and he confirmed he will be ready for the start of training camp on July 25.
"“I will be involved in training camp when training camp comes around,” Cobb said."
Cobb reiterated to Roth, the reason why he was in the boot in the first place was for protection. However, the veteran wide receiver made it clear he will need to check in with the medical staff, but is feeling great.
The soon-to-be 28-year-old wideout, is entering his eighth season in the NFL. He is coming off a year in which he caught 66 passes for 653 yards and four scores. Despite backup quarterback Brett Hundley playing a majority of the games under center last season, Cobb’s numbers were nearly identical as 2016, when Aaron Rodgers was on the field.
This season provides a different challenge for Cobb as the new leader of this wide receiving core. The Packers elected to release Jordy Nelson after 10 seasons of service, and with Nelson gone, Cobb is the oldest and most-experienced wide receiver on the roster.
According to Pro Football Focus, Cobb has 228 receptions from the slot since 2014, second most in the NFL. In six of his eight seasons, he has had a catch percentage of above 70 percent. Even though his stats don’t jump off the chart, it is evident that he is a reliable option for Rodgers.
The addition of tight end Jimmy Graham and return of a healthy Rodgers will provide a spark for Cobb. Graham’s size and ability to stretch the field will open opportunities. As for the return of Rodgers, the two have built the necessary chemistry over the years.
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If Cobb isn’t on the field, there is a ton of uncertainty surrounding the receiver position. Should the Packers sign a free agent? Should they move Ty Montgomery back to his natural position? Looking at the Packers wide receiving core as a whole, other than Cobb and Adams, this unit consists of young unproven players.
Outside of the two, Geronimo Allison is the only wide receiver on the roster that has more than 10 catches in his career. Bottom line, Cobb needs to be healthy.