Becoming the number #1 receiver for the Green Bay Packers isn’t something out of the ordinary for Randall Cobb, and it probably won’t mean too much change for him despite Jordy Nelson no longer being part of the team this season.
Cobb won’t suddenly turn into a sideline receiver. He’s 5’10, and operates better in the slot. He had a slow start to last season, something he blames himself for, but ended up catching 91 passes for 1287 yards and 12 touchdowns. He played all 16 games for the first time in his career, and bounced back quite well from his injury in the 2013 season, cutting it short.
Cobb will be fine. Rodgers gets the ball to his receivers better (probably) than anyone else in the league. Spreading it around and finding Cobb when he’s open isn’t the problem. The problem now for the Packers is finding someone who can replace the team’s leading receiver from last season, and that means 98 catches, 1519 yards and 13 touchdowns worth of production. Very difficult to emulate.
Davante Adams is probably the first in line instead of Nelson, featuring on his side in the three wide receiver set the Packers love so much. Ty Montgomery lined up on the other end but he can also play in the slot, while Jeff Janis, now the number four receiver, is an outside kind of guy.
Cobb feels ready for more responsibility.
I pressed last year in the beginning of the season, and I’m not going to do that again. There’s no need for that. Aaron’s going to do his job, he’s going to get us the ball. It’s my job when I get those opportunities to make things happen. We need to know who we can count on. Who are the guys that are going to step up and make those plays for us in those critical times during the season? We have to find that out. There’s not a lot of time. Obviously, me and Davante are going to do everything we can. I think we have the ability between me and him to lead this group, and we’re looking forward to the opportunity.