Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Jeremy Maclin and Green Bay Packers pass-catcher Randall Cobb have quite a bit in common.
They're both young NFL wideouts coming off the first 1,000-yard receiving season of their career and set to hit free agency barring contract extensions with their respective organizations.
Both players are just entering their prime NFL years - Cobb finished last season with 91 catches for 1,271 yards and 12 touchdowns, while Maclin secured 85 grabs for 1,318 yards and 10 touchdowns - looking for financial security and a long-term football home. They're just two of a number of pending impact free agents at the receiver position, though - Cowboys receiver Dez Bryant, Broncos Demaryius Thomas and the Ravens Torrey Smith are all looking to cash in as well.
Cobb, according to a recent report, is seeking a deal in the $9 million per season range.
"Indications are that Cobb is seeking a deal that averages in the $9 million per year range," reports Rob Demovsky of ESPN. "That would come close to the four-year, $39 million contract extension the Packers gave receiver Jordy Nelson last summer."
As a very similar player in terms of production and general age - Cobb is close to two years younger than Maclin - that asking price may very well have a direct influence on Maclin's negotiations with the Eagles.
"Still, Maclin's contract will likely fit somewhere in between Thomas and Bryant's deals and Smith and Cobb's money. That's why it's notable that Cobb wants $9 million per year," writes Mike Kay of Bleeding Green Nation.
Maclin, despite eclipsing the 1,000-yard mark just this past season, has hovered near the total for the past few years since reaching 964 yards in 2010. He's also dealt with more injury uncertainty than Cobb has - he had a health scare in 2011 and tore his ACL in training camp in 2013, wiping out that season.
But he bet on himself and returned to the field with a vengeance this year, posting career-highs in yardage and receptions.
The Eagles and head coach Chip Kelly have said they'd like to resign him and there's also always the possibility of the franchise tag - looking to be a bit above the $12.312 million mark for receiver's last season - but if his contract expectations are in the same neighborhood as Cobb, Maclin may not be long for Philly.
