Green Bay Packers

Over/Under: Randall Cobb Will Have 5 Touchdowns This Year

Photo credit: Jim Matthews (USA TODAY Sports)

Headed into this season, one question that no longer needs to be addressed is, Do the Packers have enough offensive weapons?

They do.

They have a stacked receiving corps, a group of talented tight ends who will cause major red-zone problems, one of the best quarterbacks ever to play the game, and a set of running backs most teams would commit a felony to get. One of the last major additions was former — now returning — wideout Randall Cobb. After spending his first eight seasons with the Green and Gold, Cobb was a salary cap casualty.

The way the team handled his departure contributed to the rift between Aaron Rodgers and the front office. After an offseason of drama and exaggerated reporting, Cobb was traded back to the Packers and will likely split time with rookie Amari Rodgers in the slot. Amari Rodgers is a carbon copy of No. 18, and both players have known each other for years.

So what will Cobb’s production be this year in his 11th season? If he can stay healthy, the Kentucky alum has amazing chemistry with Aaron Rodgers. Normally, an older receiver wouldn’t be looked at as much of a threat. But when Rodgers trusts a receiver and has been friends with him for a decade, that helps get the ball into his hands a lot faster.

Let’s break down the stats to see if Randall Cobb can do something he hasn’t done since 2015: score at least five touchdowns in a season.

Cobb with the 2018 Packers

You shouldn’t have forgotten Week 1 of 2018 already. It was the game where Aaron Rodgers hurt his knee in the first quarter. He then came back and led a comeback win against the Chicago Bears, crushing one fan’s dreams forever.

It was later revealed that Rodgers played with a bum knee that entire season.

Cobb had nine catches for 175 yards and a touchdown in that game. Unfortunately, he would only score two touchdowns in 2018. He ended with 383 receiving yards and 66 receptions. He did also miss seven weeks due to injury — six for a right hamstring and another with a concussion.

The season ended with the iconic photo of Rodgers and Cobb embracing. Green Bay wound up going 6-9-1 that year, fired Mike McCarthy before the end of the season, and did not re-sign Cobb in the offseason.

Cobb With the 2019 Cowboys

Cobb signed a one-year, $5 million contract with the Dallas Cowboys in 2019. He would play 15 weeks for Dem Boys, only missing one game due to a back injury and racking up 55 receptions and 828 receiving yards for three touchdowns.

Cobb had a touchdown right away in Week 1, with four receptions and 69 yards. He would score again in Weeks 10 and 11 but was not used enough as the Cowboys’ slot receiver. But he was also competing against receivers Amari Cooper, Michael Gallup, and Tavon Austin.

Cobb was not re-signed after Dallas hired new head coach Mike McCarthy and drafted CeeDee Lamb.

Cobb With the 2020 Texans

Once again, a free-agent receiver, Cobb, signed a 3-year, $27 million contract with the Houston Texans.

And again, Cobb scored three touchdowns on the year. He only had 38 receptions for 441 yards but spent the last five weeks on the injured list after hurting his toe in November. In Week 7, Cobb played his old team, the Packers, and had eight catches for 95 yards. The Texans lost that game 35-20, but it’s always fun to see a former teammate play well against them when it doesn’t lead to a Packers loss.

The Texans received a sixth-round draft pick and paid $3 million of Cobb’s salary to send him to Green Bay. He is poised to make almost $8 million if he stays with the Packers next season.

Over or Under 5?

I really want to take the over on this. The Rodgers/Cobb connection is huge. He isn’t a young receiver anymore, but experience always helps. Danny Amendola was always a threat on the New England Patriots, and he played until he was 34. He didn’t always have a lot of touchdowns, but he always got plenty of receptions.

Cobb has played 10 NFL seasons and has 47 total touchdowns. That means he averages 4.7 a season. I have no doubt he will reach 50 this season. It’s not improbable to think he can get five — or more. With Davante Adams being double-teamed or covered by the opponent’s best corner while MVS serves as the deep threat, the field should open up for players like Cobb and Amari Rodgers. Amari now doesn’t have the pressure to be the rookie slot receiver and produce right away.

There is always a risk of players like Robert Tonyan and Aaron Jones hawking scores in the end zone. Again, the Packers have a lot of weapons. But there is just a feeling that Cobb will have a solid season, barring any injuries. He’s excited to be back in Green Bay. Rodgers is excited he’s back in Green Bay. Fans are excited he’s back in Green Bay. I can already see the smiles on their faces when they connect during the season.

Oh, and another 75-yard touchdown pass against the Bears wouldn’t hurt.

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