Randall Cobb Lives up to the Hype in Season Opener

Read Time:2 Minute, 5 Second

The Dallas Cowboys entered the 2019 offseason looking to upgrade at the slot receiver position. Former receiver Cole Beasley left for Buffalo in March during free agency with his four-year 29 million dollar deal. In a strategic and low-cost move, the Cowboys brought in Randall Cobb on a one-year $5 million dollar deal. The veteran receiver burst onto the scene in 2014 when he racked up 91 receptions for 1,287 yards and 12 touchdowns. A season worthy of his one and only pro bowl selection. Unfortunately, it’s the only season of his career that he’s played in all sixteen games. With eleven games of playoff experience under his belt, Cobb provides valuable leadership at the position and an upgrade from what the Cowboys had in 2018, which he’s wasted no time proving.

Cobb’s Cowboys debut last week went exactly as planned. What you want from your primary receiver in the slot is to work the middle of the field allowing your outside receivers to attack vertically downfield. Amari Cooper and Michael Gallup both went over the one hundred yard mark but a lot of that was made possible because of the threat of Cobb.

The clip below shows one of the more impressive plays made by anyone league-wide in week one. On a critical third down in the second quarter in a 7-7 game, Cobb extends his right arm to keep the defender off of him after being stopped about four yards short of the down the first-down marker. Throwing him off he gets another eight yards converting the first down. A display of power, patience, and savvy by the veteran there.

Look at this effort by #Cowboys WR Randall Cobb to get the first down on 3rd and 10. pic.twitter.com/fwoPdwvaOm

— Marcus Mosher (@Marcus_Mosher) September 9, 2019

In the third quarter, Cobb would seemingly put the game out reach with his 25-yard touchdown from Dak Prescott that gave the Cowboys a 28 to 10 lead. In total, he had four receptions for 69 yards. The yardage may not seem like a lot but it’s actually a 1,104-yard pace over sixteen games. What team wouldn’t want that from their third option at receiver in his ninth season?

If health stays on the side of Cobb, which he hasn’t had over the years, he can turn out to be the organization’s most valuable offseason addition, especially at such a low price. The Cowboys will have one of if not the best receiving trio in the NFL if this level of play from Cobb continues.