2018 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Simmie Cobbs





  • Simmie Cobbs Jr., 6-3/220

  • Wide Receiver

  • Indiana


  • Simmie Cobbs Jr. Scouting Report
    By Charlie Campbell

    Strengths:
  • Mismatch size
  • Strong hands
  • Route running
  • Red-zone weapon
  • Back-shoulder play-maker
  • Length
  • Large catch radius
  • Body control
  • High points the football
  • Good height
  • Sideline weapon
  • Boxes out defensive backs
  • Outfights defenders for the ball
  • Excelled against good competition




  • Weaknesses:
  • Missed the 2016 season with an ankle injury
  • Has speed limitations
  • Will struggle to separate from NFL cornerbacks
  • Possession receiver


  • Summary: In Week 1 of the 2017 college football season, Cobbs proceeded to eat up a future NFL secondary in Ohio State, and constantly got the better of the top cornerback for the 2018 NFL Draft in Denzel Ward. Cobbs had his way with Ward and the Buckeyes to the tune of 11 receptions for 149 yards and a touchdown. It was a statement game for Cobbs who showed he is a dangerous receiver with mismatch size that is very difficult to defend.

    Unfortunately, Indiana had a revolving set of quarterbacks and was unable to get the most out of Cobbs. In his final collegiate season, he totaled 72 receptions for 841 yards and eight touchdowns in 2017. Cobbs missed the 2016 season with an ankle injury, but he showed some big-play ability in 2015 when he caught 60 passes for 1,035 yards -a 17.3-yard average – and four touchdowns.



    As a pro, Cobbs projects as a big possession receiver. He is very adept at making contested catches over defensive backs. Cobbs uses his big frame to box out defensive backs and make receptions in front of them. Cobbs has strong hands and a large catch radius, plus strongly outmuscles defenders for position. He has good body control with late hands to make him very difficult to defend on back-shoulder throws. In the end zone, Cobbs is a real weapon on fade routes and jump balls. He is a possession receiver who is physical and gritty.

    Cobbs does not have great speed and is not a receiver who generates separation. In the NFL, corners won’t have a problem running with Cobbs, and he will be a receiver who lives and dies on contested catches. Cobbs won’t be a big yards-after-the-catch receiver or take the top off a defense. His alarming combine 40-yard dash time of 4.64 seconds illustrates that. Thus, Cobbs projects as more of a No. 2 or 3 receiver in the NFL rather than being a No. 1.

    For the NFL, Cobbs could fit well as a X – split end – receiver who works on the outside and challenges teams along the sideline. He also has the size to be a Z – flanker – receiver and do the dirty work on underneath routes running slants, digs and crosses. In the 2018 NFL Draft, Cobbs looks like a second-day pick. There is a chance that he could slide into the mid-rounds.





    Player Comparison: Donte Moncrief. Cobbs reminds me some of Moncrief at Ole Miss. Moncrief was a little faster, while Cobbs is more physical. During his best season in 2015, Moncrief contributed as a possession receiver across from T.Y. Hilton, and Cobbs could be a similar possession receiver as a pro. Moncrief was a third-round pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, and Cobbs could go in the same area in 2018. In the NFL, I think Cobbs could be a better version of Moncrief if Cobbs lands with a good quarterback.

    NFL Matches: Cleveland, San Francisco, New Orleans, Denver, Washington, Arizona, Buffalo, Baltimore and Jacksonville

    There are a lot of teams that could be in the market for a wide receiver upgrade on the second day of the 2018 NFL Draft. The Browns need more receiving talent for their offense even though Jarvis Landry signed a long-term deal. They can’t count on Josh Gordon to stay on the field, and Corey Coleman hasn’t panned out for them yet. With their second-round picks and third-rounder, the Browns could consider a receiver like Cobbs on Day 2.

    The Saints and 49ers could use more pass-catching weapons for their offenses. New Orleans could use more weapons for Drew Brees, while Cobbs would be a nice fit for Kyle Shanahan across from Marquise Goodwin. Cobbs could be in play for both teams in the third round.

    The Broncos, Redskins and Cardinals all could be in the market for a receiver upgrade. Denver might look for some young receiving talent since both Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders are both over 30. The Redskins signed Paul Richardson, but they could consider adding more young receiver talent. Arizona has to consider life after Larry Fitzgerald and could use more receiving talent around the future Hall of Famer.

    The Bills and Ravens also are in the market for receiver help. Buffalo has a plethora second-day picks in the 2018 NFL Draft and could have a trio of big wideouts with Cobbs, Kelvin Benjamin and Zay Jones. Baltimore badly needs more receiving talent for its offense. Cobbs could make sense for the Ravens in the third round.

    In Florida, the Jaguars could target a big receiver like Cobbs considering Allen Robinson wasn’t re-signed.






    RELATED LINKS:


    2018 NFL Mock Draft: Charlie’s | Walt’s


    2018 NFL Draft Prospect Rankings


    2018 NFL Draft Scouting Reports








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