5 Big Predictions for the Green Bay Packers in 2018
By David Steger
4. Davante Adams and Randall Cobb
The winds have changed direction on the receiving corps for the Packers. Longtime wide receiver and fan favorite Jordy Nelson was released. Fans were lost in sorrow by the unexpected move, but I was expecting it all along. Nelson even said; “I think I’ll only play for about two more years”. That spelled doom and meaning 2018 might be his last season. There’s more than hope though, the Packers have Davante Adams and Randall Cobb at the wide receiver spot.
Adams has shown he is ready and comfortable as the number one wideout with his numbers he still put up after Rodgers went down in 2017. He had 74 catches for 885 yards and 10 touchdowns with the maligned Hundley for more than half the season. Adams clearly showed he can make the big plays when called upon. His knack for adjusting his body mid-route and playing the ball was good before and now its even better. Look for Adams to spike up in 2018 with Rodgers back and accumulate 110 catches for 1,293 Yards and 13 Touchdowns.
Randall Cobb is the veteran that Rodgers has always relied on all along with Nelson. Now Rodgers will lean on Cobb more than ever because he has that connection with Rodgers like Adams does. Cobb seems to know when plays break down and always finds the soft spot in the defense as an easy target. He can play everywhere in the offense playing H-back, Z-back, in the slot and split out wide. He is a jack of all trades that is too valuable to the Packers offense. Cobb’s numbers will jump back up immensely due to the loss of Nelson. Those numbers should be 101 catches for 1,141 yards and 12 touchdowns.
These 2 wide receivers in Adams and Cobb will be relied on with the old but new offensive coordinator Joe Philbin and will be Rodgers go-to guys on most plays. Look for them to have big years each and give solid reasons to consider the Packers offense a dark horse for the top offense of the year.