According to a report by Bill Huber of PackerReport.com, Raiders’ GM Reggie McKenzie is preparing to make a “blockbuster” offer to Randall Cobb if he hits free agency. Huber says he’s heard a team is willing to offer Cobb $11 million per season and he clearly links that report to the Raiders.
Although McKenzie doesn’t prefer to overpay in free agency, I’ve been told the Raiders view Cobb differently. At 24, he’s younger now than Tony Bergstrom (McKenzie’s first pick in Oakland) was when the Raiders drafted him. Also, McKenzie’s familiarity with Cobb from their time in Green Bay is key.
Cobb is considered by many to be the top available wide receiver and all signs are that his most lucrative offer will come from the Raiders. As I’ve said, the Raiders may miss on a few big-name targets in free agency, but they’re committed to giving Derek Carr a proven playmaker (or two). My guess is that if Cobb ends up somewhere other than Oakland, he’ll be leaving money on the table.