Green Bay Packers: Is Wide Receiver Randall Cobb for Real?

There were plenty of storylines in the Green Bay Packers 42-34 victory over the New Orleans Saints Thursday night, but perhaps none was so unexpected as the instantaneous impact made by Packers rookie wide receiver and return man Randall Cobb.

Cobb's two catches for 35 yards don't begin to tell the whole tale. The former Kentucky speedster flashed his return skills with a record tying 108-yard kickoff return for a touchdown.

The question is: was this a fluke or was this for real? Either way, it was a knockout punch to the critics who've maligned the NFL for moving kickoffs to the 35-yard line. From Cobb's perspective, if you're good enough, you can always return the ball.

It could be hard to get a handle on Cobb's potential impact when the Packers have so many talented receivers. However, I believe Cobb to be a tremendous talent and, as I said in the above video I did post-draft for CheeseheadTV.com, his possession skills will make him an ideal replacement for the aging Donald Driver.

Cobb is incredibly quick off the snap, able to get open quickly with sharp cuts and has good burst. He can beat the jam at the line although he can also use his elusiveness to shake the coverage as well.

His soft hands and great body control make him a very reliable target and will endear him to Aaron Rodgers, especially since both Jordy Nelson and James Jones are sometimes plagued with drops.

He is a tremendous route-runner, and shows great vision in looking for gaps in the coverage and open space when he has the ball. This is evident as well when he is returning punts and kicks and was of course on full display with his kick return touchdown.

Versatility is always a good thing in a young player and Cobb has it in spades. He can work out of the slot, run routes fearlessly across the middle, work out of motion and as a former quarterback and can even throw the ball well if the Packers wanted to shake things up with a Wildcat package. He can do it all, and do it all well.

Finally, Cobb is a very hard worker and will put in the time to become a great wide receiver. While it may take a while to fully crack a deep lineup, Cobb will eventually emerge as a fantastic receiver and a perfect compliment to Greg Jennings.

We already saw it in the 2011 postseason, when relative unknown James Starks ran his way to notoriety. Perhaps Cobb will assume that mantle, and maintain the Packers renown for unearthing gems.