Aaron Rodgers, Davonte Adams, and HaHa Clinton-Dix are due for either restructured or new contracts in 2018. All these guys deserve to be compensated handsomely for their contributions. Contrarily, some Packers are currently making more than what can be justified. Matthews $15 million cap hit is ranked 32nd in the entire NFL in 2017, yet he has not done nearly enough to earn it. In 2016 he played four less games and 541 less snaps than the year prior. Wide receiver Randall Cobb is in a similar situation. He is due over $12 million this year, which is 7th in the league as far receivers. That is right behind the likes of AJ Green. Is Cobb really worth that? Absolutely not.
Cobb played only 62.6% of all offensive snaps in 2016. Far less than the 91.5% he played without Jordy Nelson by his side 2015. Cobb has clearly taken a step back. In fact, if it were not for him turning up his play during the playoffs last season this may be the most brutal robbery of money in the NFL.
Cobb caught a laughable four touchdowns in 2016. The last time his scoring numbers were that low was 2013 when he appeared in only six games.
It is obvious Cobb has fallen far from his one and only pro bowl in 2014. That season he collected over 1,200 yards and finished 4th in the league with 12 receiving touchdowns.
It would be nice to be making this up, however Cobb is in fact making more than the highly touted Jordy Nelson. Nelson, a guy who led the team in yards and the entire NFL in receiving touchdowns one year after tearing his ACL.
Right now Cobb is conceivably a top ten slot receiver. He cannot play outside and his durability is now in question. When it comes time to pay Adams will they be able to do it justly with the weighing contracts of Nelson and Cobb? Hard to believe.
The best option now is to restructure Cobb before his contact takes an even bigger chunk out of the Packers 2018 salary cap. Cobb is perhaps worth $8 or $9 million a year, but nothing more. When they thought they would lose him to the Jaguars in 2015 they opted to splurge. The Packers would never have done so if Adams was potentially a true number two receiver back then.
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Brandon Carwile was a Cheesehead at birth. His dad grew up attending games at Lambeau and passed on the legacy. He has covered the Packers for over five years and currently works with packerstalk.com. Find him on twitter at @PackerScribe.
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4 responses to “Is Randall Cobb Worth His Contract?”
I do expect Cobb’s production to decrease with the addition of two tight ends. I do think he’s a valuable part of the offense with his versatility.
I agree. I like what he brings. He’s just an elite slot guy and should be paid accordingly.
BINGO. As long as Cobb stays healthy this season I think number closer to 2014 might be possible. Cobb will get his fill of working underneath with Bennett and/or Kendricks on the field. I think 75 catches for 1000 yards and 8 to 10 TD’s is completely possible. Matter of fact it wouldn’t surprise me a bit if Nelson, Cobb, and Adams all have 1000 yards this year. 2017 just might be Rodgers greatest season yet. But they HAVE to replace Lang with someone a whole lot better than Barclay.
I have faith in TT to bring in a right guard to take Lang’s place. Remember Nick, Bakhtiari was a fourth round pick and Linsley was a fifth round pick. The only first round pick in recent years was Bulaga.Tretter was so versatile I hated to see him go. Barclay can run block but can’t pass block very well at all. Tretter even filled in well at left tackle.We need a power back to go along with Ty and this draft has different ones to chose from.Two key pieces on defense at EDGE and at corner could make a world of difference. All I keep hearing is Capers has to go. I don’t think it’s going to happen so instead draft the players that can help fix things instead. This draft is loaded with more talent at key positions of the Packers biggest needs than any draft in many years.The speed at corner,running back and tight end is amazing. GO PACK GO GO TED GO. Here’s to a very successful 2017 draft and season.