Randall Cobb might not be ready for the start of training camp. He’s wearing a walking boot, according to a Milwaukee newspaper.
A team source tells the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that Cobb might be on the sidelines when the team begins workouts in July.
That’s not necessarily a huge deal. Cobb doesn’t appear to be in any real danger of not being ready when the season starts in September. But he hasn’t been durable in recent years, and he’s not as explosive as he was early in his career.
That might sound weird, with Cobb being only 27. In theory, he should be in his prime right now. He’s also in a contract year, so you might figure he’d be champing at the bit to put up huge numbers and land a big-money deal next spring.
But Cobb seems a lot older. His play has dipped in recent years – especially in 2015, when Jordy Nelson missed the entire season and Cobb was unable to consistently get separation or make enough plays. He caught 79 passes that year, but for just 829 yards and 6 TDs. That’s modest production, considering he was working with Aaron Rodgers.
While Cobb is only 27, he seems like he’s about 33. He’s not nearly as explosive as he was early in his career, when he was more like Antonio Brown or Stefon Diggs. Cobb scored 3 TDs on kick returns in his first two seasons, and he carried the ball 16 times for 215 yards in his first three seasons (averaging 13 yards per carry). Nowadays, he’s just catching possession-type balls out of the slot. He’s averaged 10.4, 10.2 and 9.9 yards per catch the last three years.
Cobb has had issues with durability. He’s played a full 16 games only twice in eight seasons. He’s missed 10, 3 and 1 game in three of his last five seasons.
ESPN posted an article earlier today, written by Rob Demovsky, wondering whether Cobb is an old 27 or a young eighth-year veteran.
"He's got a lot left," says teammate Davante Adams in the ESPN article. "He's an incredible athlete, he's still got the burners and he has a lot to offer for the young guys as well. You go out there and you watch how he gets down on the field, he's consistent and he's one of the best, one of the hardest-working guys in the game and in practice and things like that. It makes it easy for the young guys to pick up on that."
Given Cobb’s recent production and history of injuries, I’m thinking some Green Bay receiver who isn’t even drafted might end up making an impact at some point this year. They signed Jimmy Graham, and I expect he’ll play essentially as a wide receiver on most downs (they also signed Marcedes Lewis, and he can be more of a traditional tight end). They’ve got Adams coming back, and he should be their No. 1 guy.
The Packers used three later-round picks on wide receivers, and maybe they get lucky with one of those guys. They’re all big receivers with cool and unusual names, but I don’t see much difference between them: J’Mon Moore, Equanimeous St. Brown, Marquez Valdez-Scantling. They drafted Trevor Davis a year ago, and he’s a possibility.
But of the unheralded pass catchers, I am more intrigued by Geronimo Allison (pictured). He made the team as an undrafted free agent two years ago, and he’s had some success with his limited opportunities. In his first two seasons, he’s gotten to play a starter-type role in three games, and he’s been reasonably productive in those games: 14 catches for 279 yards and a touchdown.
To me, Allison makes some sense with a late-round gamble pick. I think he’ll be their third wide receiver, and if Cobb misses a good chunk of time or continues to trail off, it could open the door for him to post solid numbers.
| GERONIMO WITH RODGERS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Opponent | Rec | Yards | TD |
| vs. Minn. | 4 | 66 | 0 |
| at Det. | 4 | 91 | 1 |
| vs. Cin. | 6 | 122 | 0 |
—Ian Allan