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Green Bay Packers WR Randall Cobb is an intriguing pick in 2013 Fantasy Football drafts, especially considering the departure of Greg Jennings to the Minnesota Vikings. Cobb could offer value with upside, and you may even find yourself in discussions with some folks that will beat their chests claiming Cobb is a no. 1 WR in 2013.
The future is certainly bright for the former Kentucky Wildcat. He is now the proverbial big man on campus with Jennings’ departure, he is a member of a “pass first, then second, only to maybe run third” type offense, and his QB is a guy named Aaron Rodgers.
This is a pick oozing with potential, upside and boom – basically, any and all draft day buzz words that indicate you want this guy on your team. You need this guy on your team.
And yet, here comes the proverbial but. I’m going to be a momentary Debbie Downer. If you have owned Cobb in past Fantasy Football seasons and you are a member of leagues that allow return yards and return touchdowns, hold your horses a minute.
Early indications are Packers coach Mike McCarthy is going to want his projected superstar to focus more on offense this season. What does that mean for Fantasy Football? Simple, lower your expectations of Cobb’s special team production or maybe even throw it out entirely in 2013.
Sure, there is a high probability Cobb will make up lost production on special teams with more targets on offense. But this may be one of those situations where you can’t have your cake and eat it too. If you expect his projected new role of the Packers as the no. 1 WR to come with the same special teams production you got in 2012, that won’t be the case.
Bottom line, if your league offers special team return yards and TDs, don’t expect Cobb to benefit much. If your league doesn’t offer return yards and TDs, forget everything I just said.
Cobb is a guy that could fly under the radar on draft day, even though he truly does have no. 1 WR upside. And if you do take him, you won’t kick yourself at season’s end when you look back on his offensive production – only his special team stats are questionable.
Jim Heath is a Fantasy Football writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @jim_heath, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google
