Stefan Cobbs has yet to have the perfect play. His position coach Matt Miller won’t allow for it.
“Anytime we’re in the film room I could have a good completion but he’s going to find something wrong with it,” Cobbs said with a smile.
But that’s what Cobbs wants. In fact he asked for it.
As Cobbs tries to replace Khalil Shakir as the No. 1 receiver for the Broncos, he’s focused on cleaning up the little things – and finding something he can improve on with each rep he takes in practice.
“I asked him to do it because he helps me each and every day and he was a great receiver here and that’s how he did it,” Cobbs said of Miller.
“I can always find something I need to fix and I can apply it to the next day or the next practice.”
Cobbs had a solid season as the No. 2 receiver in 2021, hauling in 34 catches for 421 yards and five touchdowns. But with Shakir gone as a fifth round pick to the Buffalo Bills, Cobbs appears to be leading candidate to ascend to the No. 1 spot.
That is, unless you ask him.
“I’m ready for anything but I’m not looking at it like that,” Cobbs said. “I have a lot of good teammates and we have a good receiving room that can all go make plays. I try to dig down and practice as hard as I can and give the defense a good look. That’s really what I focus on.”
Boise State wide receivers not named Stefan Cobbs have combined for just 35 career catches. Cobbs had 34 himself last season.
Sure some combination of Davis Koetter, Austin Bolt, Billy Bowens and Latrell Caples will need to step up, but Cobbs will be the closest the Broncos have to a replacement for Shakir.
The now-NFL rookie had 77 catches for 1,117 yards and seven touchdowns last season. Cobbs would basically need to double his production to come close to those numbers – a tough ask for anyone.
“You’re not going to replace (Shakir),” Boise State offensive coordinator Tim Plough said. “He’s not showing up and that’s OK. We don’t want another (Shakir). We want the first Billy Bowens or the first Davis Koetter or the first Latrell Caples or the first Stef Cobbs. Those guys should not try to be him. They should be the best version of themselves.”
The best version of Cobbs figures to be pretty good. He’s shown he can be a dynamic playmaker with the ball in his hands – he scored on an 81-yard touchdown on his only punt return of the season – and has the speed to break away from defenders.
He also added nearly 20 pounds of weight in the offseason to try and be more physical and avoid minor injuries.
“Mentality-wise, he’s ready,” Miller said. “I think even last year he learned a lot about how to take care of his body and to avoid some of the injuries which would cost him some time. He’s really put the time and effort into developing his body so he can make it for the long run this season.
“The thing that impresses me most about Stef is his preparation level. He really truly cares and wants to be the best possible player he can be. It starts in the classroom and he takes out to the grass.”
Cobbs deflected most questions about him replacing Shakir as the No. 1 receiver during a session with reporters after practice Wednesday, saying he’s more focused on team goals.
“It’s always exciting to come into a new year with good expectations but it means nothing if I’m not putting in the work,” Cobbs said. “I’m just focused on getting better each and every day and doing what I need to do to help the team the best I can.
“I don’t really look at (needing to replace Shakir). The big motivation for me is I’m trying to get another ring. I’m trying to help my team get another ring. We’re trying to get to the top and win another championship. I’ve got one and I want another one. That’s my motivation. I don’t really look into the stats. I just want that championship ring.”
Cobbs might not be trying to replace Shakir, but he’s hoping to take some of what he learned from him the past four years and apply it to his game.
“That’s my dog – I miss my dog,” Cobbs said of Shakir. “He was real good at connecting with you on and off the field. Every player, no matter what the position, he was real good at that. … We’re all just trying to step up and take on that leadership role together.”
Cobbs played with an ankle and shoulder injury for much of last season. He said he’s playing “freely and able to have fun out there” during fall camp now that he’s healthy and with a bigger frame. He’s focused on eating three large meals a day to keep his weight up and he carries a water bottle with him at all times to make sure he’s staying hydrated.
Throw in his dedication in the film room, and there’s plenty of reason to be excited about Cobbs’ potential this season.
“I feel like I’m growing in all aspects of my game right now,” Cobbs said.
He may not be Khalil Shakir, but that’s OK. A healthy Stef Cobbs could end up being pretty darn good himself.
Cobbs and the Broncos open the 2022 season on Sept. 3 at Oregon State.
