Randall Cobb: Browns Free Agency Profile
The Cleveland Browns season is over. We will spend a good amount of time reviewing the season but we will spend even more time preparing for the off-season. Browns free agency seems destined to be an interesting one. The Browns spent a little bit of money last year with anticipating of building through the draft for long term success. The 2014 was expected to be another down year with high expectations towards the future. Instead the 2014 started off strong and ended with a thud.
Now the Browns are full of salary cap space, even though they have a few free agents of their own they might like to sign, as well as 10 picks in the NFL Draft, including two 1st rounders. It is likely that GM Ray Farmer and Head Coach Mike Pettine see a greater need for more veteran talent on a very young roster and we expect them to be aggressive in seeking to bring in that talent during Browns free agency.
In preparation for such we will be taking a look at certain players that we think the Browns could target. Keep in mind we are not saying that these are players they are targeting, although some rumors may start to leak of the Browns having interest in them, instead these are players that we think the Browns could or should have interest in. Our profile will try to include as much information as possible to prepare you for free agency.
Every Free Agent Profile Done Can Be Found Here: 2015 Browns Free Agency Profile List
Name
Position
WR
Height/Weight
5-10/192
2014 Team
Green Bay Packers
Stats:
16 Games, 91 REC, 1,287 YDS, 12 TDs
PFF Grade/Rank: (Link)
Grade: 12.3, Rank: 3rd Worst Free Agent Wide Receiver (Only Dez Bryant and Demaryius Thomas were rated higher.)
2014 Free Agent Signing Comparison Contract
DeSean Jackson (3 years, $24 million with the Washington Redskins)
Jackson isn’t the perfect comparison given his off the field issues that led to his release from the Eagles but he was considered the best receiver last year. Cobb is a notch below Dez and Demaryius but will still get a hefty check. While Cobb has good speed like Jackson, his value actually comes from his multiple uses and route running. Cobb will get a bigger contract than Jackson and will likely look for a bit of a longer deal as well.
Fit with the Browns
Cobb can do a little bit of everything. He is the optimum of what casual NFL fans think Percy Harvin is, without the headache or lengthy injury history. For the Browns he could line up inside or out, similar to Taylor Gabriel, as well as line up in the backfield in some creative formations. He has the ability to take any route deep or snap it off at a moments notice. He wouldn’t, however, give the Browns a top flight receiver that stands over 6 feet tall. This regime doesn’t seem to value size as much but at some point it is an issue that needs to be addressed with Josh Gordon suspended for a year and Jordan Cameron a free agent.
Browns Player Signing Could Impact
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Taylor Gabriel – Signing Cobb wouldn’t impact Gabriel’s spot on the team, he is secure. What it would do is limited Gabriel’s time on the field and possibly his development. Cobb, Gabriel and Andrew Hawkins would give the Browns some dynamic playmakers on the field at the same time but very little size for whoever the QB is to throw to. Gabriel’s ceiling is a slightly poorer version of Cobb but he is a bit away from achieving it. Cobb signing here would hurt that process most likely.
How Signing Could Impact the NFL Draft
Signing Cobb could delay when the Browns draft a receiver but it most definitely would impact the type of receiver they would look at. Six foot and below need not apply. The Browns could still use one of their first 3 picks to bring in a guy who could provide the size the team needs on the outside. Cobb and Gabriel could work inside or out with Hawkins on the inside of the rookie during 4 receiver sets.
Priority
Medium – The Browns can’t turn away talent even if it is a bit undersized for their needs. Most believe that Green Bay will re-sign Cobb but they rarely let players they want to keep get to free agency. Cobb has connections in Cleveland with his former college coach Joker Philips as the team’s new WR coach and his close friendship with Joe Haden. Like most players the Browns will have to overpay but in the case of Cobb it might have to be a big over payment to lure him in.
What do you think about targeting Randall Cobb in Browns Free Agency?