Heitritter: Roman Wilson Set Up To Fill The ‘Randall Cobb Function’ For Aaron Rodgers

WR Roman Wilson finds himself strolling into an important alternative in his second season within the league after dropping nearly his complete rookie season to damage in 2024. He now appears to be like to play with Aaron Rodgers beneath heart, who has propelled quite a few receivers to success throughout his illustrious NFL profession. Wilson figures to see loads of motion within the slot in Pittsburgh’s offense, the place a former receiver who performed with Rodgers loved loads of success throughout their time taking part in collectively.

That broad receiver could be Randall Cobb, a former second-round decide within the 2011 NFL Draft by the Inexperienced Bay Packers after they defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers in Tremendous Bowl XLV with Rodgers having a standout efficiency. Cobb would go on to play with Rodgers for 10 years in Inexperienced Bay, briefly leaving for 2 seasons with the Dallas Cowboys and Houston Texans earlier than returning to the Packers in 2021-22. Cobb additionally joined Rodgers in New York with the Jets in 2023, however performed extra of a reserve function whereas Rodgers missed almost all the season with a torn Achilles.

Throughout their time collectively in Inexperienced Bay, Rodgers and Cobb mixed to place up spectacular numbers on the stat sheet as Cobb caught 532 passes for six,316 yards and 47 touchdowns, working primarily out of the slot. His mixture of quickness and route-running savvy made him a ache to cowl for opposing defensive backs, combining to have a mind-meld with Rodgers that made him harmful over the center of the sphere and within the crimson zone.

While you have a look at Roman Wilson as a move catcher, he shares loads of related attributes to Cobb. They’ve related measurables as Cobb, who stood 5’10, 192 kilos, whereas Wilson stands 5’10, 186 kilos. Wilson posted barely higher testing numbers when it got here to straight line velocity and alter of course quickness on the NFL Mix. Each had been drafted on Day 2 and projected for related roles within the passing sport as extra undersized technicians who ought to excel within the slot. Very like Cobb, Wilson was finest utilized within the slot, having a powerful launch package deal to uncover shortly over the center of the sphere and within the crimson zone to provide his quarterback an open goal.

Rodgers has a longtime WR1 on the skin in DK Metcalf in addition to a reliable tight finish in Pat Freiermuth, however the slot receiver is a vital function within the passing sport that may permit Rodgers to choose matchups and get the ball to his playmakers as he scans the sphere. Cobb did an important job being Rodgers’ safety blanket beneath for a lot of years in Inexperienced Bay, and Roman Wilson could have the chance to fill the same function for Rodgers this season in Pittsburgh.

Rodgers has historically had a tough time trusting his rookie receivers, and that’s what Roman Wilson will primarily be this season, as he missed all however 5 snaps of his rookie yr. Nonetheless, Rodgers is new to the group and should set up a reference to all of his new move catchers, giving Wilson a fair taking part in discipline to work with.

Pittsburgh introduced in Robert Woods this offseason for added depth and expertise on the place, however Roman Wilson’s athleticism and expertise will give him alternatives all through coaching camp and the preseason to show himself worthy of a beginning spot as he appears to be like to provide Rodgers a dependable goal to get the ball to, very like Cobb did for a decade in the same function.