Wide Receiver

Kentucky

5-10 191

Draft board overall prospect rank: #103

Draft board overall wide receiver rank: #8

Overall rating: 67 (early 4th)

40 time: 4.45

3/29/11: Randall Cobb literally does everything. He started out as a situational quarterback at Kentucky, going 52-99 for 545 yards, 2 touchdowns, 5 picks. He then started playing more and more running back and more and more receiver. In 3 years at Kentucky, he has thrown for 689 yards, rushed for another 1313, caught for another 1661, with 40 total offensive touchdowns, and, just for good measure, he’s also brought 2 punts back to the house.

He’ll probably be drafted as a receiver. That’s where he stood out as a junior, eclipsing the 1000 yard mark with 84 catches for 1017 yards and 7 touchdowns. He has field stretching ability, but can really score any time he touches the ball, no matter where he lines up. He’s similar to Dexter McCluster, who was a 2^nd round pick by the Chiefs in 2010. McCluster caught 21 passes, carried the ball 18 times, and also returned a punt for good measure as a rookie.

Cobb’s problem is that he’s more of a luxury weapon than anything. He doesn’t stretch the field like a Mike Wallace or a DeSean Jackson and, with his lack of size, at 5-10 191, he might have to be a slot receiver only, or a #2 at best. He’s not a true, natural, experienced receiver. His route running is very raw and he relies more on game breaking quickness that anything.

Having a guy who can be a slot receiver, carry the ball out of the backfield, and help on special teams is a great cherry on top of a good team, but teams with other needs might overlook him because he’s not a huge impact player in any one facet of the game. He’s more of an athletic, with good open field moves, good potential, and upside. Some are saying 2^nd round for this kid. I think he slips into the 3^rd. Teams like New England, Atlanta, and Baltimore could give him looks in the late 2^nd.

NFL Comparison: Dexter McCluster