Randall Cobb Scouting Report Compendium

[Lurker64]

The day isn't over, so this will be sparse for a bit. Feel free to post what you've got.

Measurables
Height:5102
Weight: 191
Arms: 31"
Hands: 9 3/8"
40: 4.46
20: 2.53
10: 1.56
Reps: 16
Vert: 33 1/2"
Broad: 09'07"
Short Shuttle: 4.34
3-Cone: 7.08

[Lurker64]

NFP

Possesses a decent-sized frame and overall girth for the position. Looks and plays more physical than his frame would suggest. An explosive slot receiver who showcases a natural feel for the position. Does a nice job sitting down in soft spots in coverage, plucking the football away from his frame and accelerating after the catch. Is more quick than fast and has the wiggle and suddenness to consistently make the first man miss and get up to speed quickly. Is a tough guy to bring down once he gets the ball in his hands, runs well toward daylight and has the fluidity and balance to be shifty even at top-end speed.

Is a good receiver in the short/intermediate pass game. Displays good body control and balance as a route runner. Looks more polished on sharply inward breaking routes than outward breaking routes at this stage, but there is a burst out of his breaks and he does a really good job working his way back toward the quarterback and uncovering through the play. Also, has enough speed to run by defenders if they try to sit on his route. Has a good feel working the seam and isn't afraid of contact over the middle. Isn't going to be able to outpace NFL defenders on the outside, but has enough speed to work the seam read game. Also, takes snaps from center and is a gifted wildcat QB threat. Runs low, has a natural feel inside with some running skills between the tackles to his game.

Was a former dual-threat QB prospect coming out of high school and displays a good football IQ on the field.

Impression: A smart, savvy inside receiver with good short-area quickness and run after the catch ability. Looks like an ideal slot receiver at the next level who can separate quickly and be a productive No. 3 wideout in the NFL.

Grade: 6.7 J (Contributes first year, but doesn’t possess the physical and/or athletic skill set required to ever become a starter. However has the ability to become a dynamic sub-package option and make an instant impact for an NFL team. Junior)

[Lurker64]

ESPN

Overall Football Traits

Production: 1
2008: (11/4) 79 carries, 316 yards (4.0 avg.), 7 TDs; 21 catches, 197 yards (9.4), 2 TDs. 2009: (12/11) 94 carries, 573 yards (6.1), 10 TDs; 39 catches, 447 yards (11.5), 4 TDs. 2010: (13/13) 55 carries, 424 yards (7.7), 5 TDs; 84 catches, 1,017 yards (12.1), 7 TDs. Career: 92 PR, 619 yards (6.7), 2 TDs; 44 KOR, 1,081 yards (24.6).

Height Weight Speed: 4
Below average height and bulk. Top-end speed is adequate but not elite.

Durability: 2
Missed one game and parts of two others in 2008 due to a high ankle sprain. Sat out the Eastern Kentucky game in 2009 due to a thumb injury.

Intangibles: 2
2009: Voted MVP and most inspirational offensive player by teammates. Voted most outstanding offensive player by coaches. 2008: Voted most outstanding first-year offensive player by coaches. Active in community throughout collegiate career.

WR Specific Traits

Separation Skills: 2
Polished and savvy in this area. Lacks elite explosion with initial burst but quickly gets to top-end speed. Excellent body control and shows good tempo working within stem. Quick and smooth out of breaks and can separate from man coverage. Does a nice job of avoiding contact and exploiting soft spot working against zone coverage.

Ball Skills: 2
Ball skills are above-average. Snatches the ball out of the air away from frame. Will have mental breakdowns on occasion and allow ball into frame which can result in drop pass. Usually reason for drops comes with him trying to do too much in an attempt to make something happen after the catch before securing the ball. Flashes ability to make catch outside of frame and will secure the ball in traffic.

Big Play Ability: 2
Can get behind coverage on occasion but not a blazer that can consistently take the top-top off of defenses in the back end. Extremely dangerous after the catch. Smooth in the open field and possesses excellent vision and elusiveness to get in and out of confined areas. Bottom line can turn and short catch into a big play from anywhere on the field.

Competitiveness/Toughness: 1
Fearless going over the middle and shows focus to hold onto to catch while absorbing a big hit. Fights for extra yards after contact. Tough for size and willing blocker at receiver. Observed pealing back and delivering crack back blocks on several occasions during film study. Excels at making plays in key situations.

[Lurker64]

SI

Biography: Full-time starter the past two seasons after seeing limited action with the first team as a freshman. All-Conference selection after his sophomore and junior campaigns and named an All-American in 2010. Receiving totals last season included 84/1017/7 when he also added 424 yards and five touchdowns on the ground. Averaged 7.8 yards on 28 punt returns with additional score as well as 23.7 yards on 41 kick returns. Sophomore totals included 39/447/4 receiving and 573/10 rushing. Averaged 12.8 yards on 44 punt returns with another score that season.

Positives: "Versatile skill player who positively affects the offense in a variety of ways. Shows terrific quickness, has a burst of speed, and is dynamic handling the ball. Fluid receiver who comes back to the pass out of breaks, easily adjusts to the errant throw, and possesses both soft and strong hands. Quickly transitions from making the catch to running after the reception, shows a burst of speed, and has the ability to create yardage in the open field. Quick footed and elusive, displays terrific explosiveness, and plays with intelligence. Effective running reverses, alters the momentum of games as a return specialist, and occasionally lined up behind center in wildcat formations."

Negatives: Not a true deep threat. Really cannot run to the long pass.

Analysis: Cobb has been tremendously productive on the college level since stepping onto the field as a freshman for Kentucky. He's a multipurpose offensive threat with the skills to be a second receiver and return man on the NFL level.

Projection: 2nd

Grade: 2.87 (First-Year Contributor -- Prospect that has the ability to make plays from the get-go and start early into his rookie season. )

[Lurker64]

CBS Sports

Overview:
One of the most celebrated recent high school football players from Tennessee shocked everyone in 2008 by deciding to attend Kentucky, offering up one more nail in the coffin of Phil Fulmer's tenure as head coach at Tennessee.

Cobb immediately made the All-SEC Freshman team as a quarterback in 2008 despite starting only four games at the position, making the switch late in the season following four starts at receiver. It was immediately clear that Cobb was a triple threat to pass, run and catch on any play. Highlights of his true freshman year included catching two touchdowns late to rally the Wildcats against Arkansas,21-20, and 100 yards both passing and rushing against Georgia,

Too short to project to the NFL as a quarterback, Cobb found a home at receiver as a sophomore, where he was All-SEC as an "all purpose performer," averaging almost 140 yards per game in offense and kick/punt returns. He finished with 447 yards receiving, first on a team with inconsistent quarterback play. While Cobb was green at receiver, his natural athletic talent was obvious.

Cobb was ready for primetime in 2010, breaking out with 84 catches for 1,017 yards and seven touchdowns, not to mention an additional 424 yards rushing with five touchdowns and 955 combined yards returning punts and kicks. Game highlights included 12 catches for 171 yards against Mississippi State, 226 yards rushing and receiving with two touchdowns against Vanderbilt and 13 catches for 116 yards against Tennessee.

Cobb is an excellent slot or No. 2 receiver prospect running primarily short and intermediate routes at the NFL level, but lacks the elite straight-line speed and size the NFL usually demands for consideration as a No. 1 receiver. He should fit well in a quick throw, West Coast type of offense, and offers great versatility as a runner, kick returner and Wildcat quarterback, not to mention a dependable holder for field goals.

Bright, hard working, dedicated and athletic, Randall Cobb has a lot of talent and very little risk.

Analysis
Release: Extremely quick first step off the snap. Strong and physical enough to beat the press, but more likely to use quickness and elusiveness to escape coverage. Played in the slot and/or was in motion a lot. Very good at getting open quickly with cuts and burst.

Hands: Soft, natural hands are used to snatch the ball away from the body. Very few drops, even counting the two short ones over the middle vs. Pitt in the Compass Bowl from the backup quarterback. Adjusts well to the ball. Caught the ball in traffic a lot and almost always held on. Will hold onto the ball while taking a big hit. Secures the ball well and rarely puts it on the ground. Can be counted on to field punts and kickoffs cleanly. Holds for field-goal attempts.

Route running: Excellent, disciplined route running originates from being a former quarterback, knowing what happens when the route is not run correctly. Crisp, sharp cuts and turns. Breaks tackles and gets YAC consistently. Student of the game prides himself on not making mental errors. Not a true blazer, but fast enough, very shifty and tends to get separation consistently.

Blocking: Small frame limits the benefits of quality technique and effort. Will sacrifice body against larger defenders. Good knee bend, extension of arms and hand placement. True team player gives all in every assignment.

Intangibles: Dedicated to football. Puts in outstanding effort, leads by example and never takes a play off. Leader off the field, participating in a wide variety of community and charity causes. Honor Roll student in high school. Does the small things well, such as being a reliable holder for field goals. Received high praise from coaches. While Cobb missed a couple of games early in his career with minor injuries, he produced consistently during a healthy 2010 season.

Career Notes:
Although not completing his eligibility, Cobb also posted outstanding career numbers during his three seasons with the Wildcats. He broke the UK all-time record for total touchdowns (37) and ranks fourth in career all-purpose yardage (4,674), fourth in career scoring (226 points), fifth in career pass receptions (144) and sixth in career receiving yardage (1,661). Cobb also earned a reputation as a clutch player. He scored the game-winning, come-from-behind fourth-quarter touchdown against five teams in his career - Arkansas in 2008; Louisville, at Auburn and at Georgia in 2009; and South Carolina in 2010.

[red]

Draft Ace

Strengths:
An elite all-around athlete. Excellent speed and quickness. A true playmaker. Experienced lining up in the wild cat formation which Kentucky called the “Wild Cobb”. A smart player on and off the field. Praised by coaches for his leadership and work ethic. A converted quarterback – started four games at quarterback as a freshman. Experienced on special teams.

Weaknesses:
Slightly undersized, doesn’t have the ability to be a traditional No. 1 receiver. Missed time with a high-ankle sprain in 2008. Still learning how to play receiver; only three full years of experience at the position.

Comments:
Had he played at a big time program, Cobb would be a household name. He is an elite playmaker and one of the most dangerous players in the nation with the ball in his hands. His versatility and experience in the “Wild Cobb” and on special teams should intriguge some teams, especially offensive coordinators who like to get creative. He isn’t quite an elite prospect, but could be an instant impact player. His ability to line up at different spots on the field and his playmaking ability after the catch makes him a matchup nightmare for defenses.

[bobblehead]

But the real question: Is he an elite return man?

[mission]

Cobb: Right now I'm trying to get ahold of Rodgers. I want to be whereever he is as soon as possible.


^^ I like that!

[King Friday]

The kid sounds a lot like a young Donald Driver to me. I think this is a great pick for the Packers to maintain air dominance in the NFC. This kid is going to be a sponge that soaks up all the info that Rodgers, Driver, Jennings and company give him.

[bobblehead]

The kid sounds a lot like a young Donald Driver to me. I think this is a great pick for the Packers to maintain air dominance in the NFC. This kid is going to be a sponge that soaks up all the info that Rodgers, Driver, Jennings and company give him.

Even better, now that I read around a bit, Cobb is like a Percy Harvin light. He ran the "wild cobb" and returns kicks and punts. He also can be a holder for FG's and is a high school QB. This guy fills more needs than Havner. Great pick if he pans out.....but I guess that last statement falls under duh!!

[packrulz]

Guy is amazing! Watch the one handed catch at the end! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i09R28AWgFU

[Tarlam!]

There's an artlicle on JSO ( http://www.jsonline.com/sports/packers/120831889.html ) about players who visited Lambeau/ Green Bay.

One name: WR Shaky Smithson, (...)Ranked first in the nation in punt return average(...). Ranked 61st in kickoff returns(...).

A few Rats wanted to see his name called.

Oh, and, FWIW, I am thrilled with getting Cobb!

EDIT: This guy nailed the pick: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/683800-2011-nfl-draft-randall-cobb-and-5-second-round-targets-for-green-bay-packers/page/6

[digitaldean]

From what has been posted and what I've read at Natl Football Post, this guy is a natural slot receiver.

Unless they see someone else, probably will be returning kicks/punts.

Probably end of the line for James Jones.

[KYPack]

Even better, now that I read around a bit, Cobb is like a Percy Harvin light. He ran the "wild cobb" and returns kicks and punts. He also can be a holder for FG's and is a high school QB. This guy fills more needs than Havner. Great pick if he pans out.....but I guess that last statement falls under duh!!

If the Badgers aren't on my satellite I watch UK. Most of the scouting reports you and Red posted are right on, but a few other points on Cobb from my perspective:

Cobb played QB half of his freshman year at Kentucky. He is still learning at WR. He reads D's like a QB and is really good in fluid situations. He knows what his QB needs and busts his ass to get it done.

Cobb has always been a star and has a positive "star" attitude. He expects and wants to perform in the clutch. He usually has a play or two in his back pocket and pulls something out when the team needs it.

Cobb is an old school player. He goes hard the whole game and always gives full effort. He lights up like a christmas tree on gameday.

I think the scouting reports over-emphasize his lack of straight ahead speed. Cobb can break one, uses his brains to find a seam.

He has a lot of shake and it shows on punt returns. I think he will be our PR guy. KR? Not his forte, but he was KY's first line KR man.

I am real happy on this pick. I hope it's more TT magic, helping the Champs to 14!

[Smidgeon]

I'm interested to see how McCarthy develops this guy. M3 has shown himself to be very creative offensively, and I think he might have just gotten his most versatile piece.