BBNFL Week 3: Two former Kentucky WRs debut; two DBs get a pick
Not one but two former Kentucky wide receivers saw the field for the first time in 2023 during the NFL’s Week 3. Wan’Dale Robinson for the New York Giants and Lynn Bowden for the New Orleans Saints enjoyed some well-earned playing time after both missing extended periods of time for different reasons.
Robinson returned to action after suffering a torn ACL in November last year during his rookie season. In his 2023 debut, he caught four of his five targets for 21 yards. Not bad for someone coming off of a major knee injury.
Bowden hasn’t been injured, however, he has struggled to find a home in the NFL. He started the season on the Saints’ practice squad but was quickly bumped up to the 53-man roster. Sunday marked his first official game as active, something that had to feel good for the former Wildcat. He saw the field just five snaps, but hopefully, he continues to climb up the depth chart.
Also, another former Kentucky receiver deserves a shoutout for making an active roster. Josh Ali was active for the Falcons for the first time this season and even though he did not play, it is great to see him get called up. He wasn’t exactly a household name when he played for Kentucky but has carved out a well-respected role in Atlanta.
Randall Cobb ALMOST made a miracle play
While our hats go off to Robinson, Bowden, and Ali, we can’t forget about the veteran, Randall Cobb. Aaron Rodgers coaxed Cobb to stick around for one more year before retiring, only for Rodgers to tear his Achilles in the opening drive of the season. Cobb has to feel like the friend who agreed to help his buddy move, only to find himself carrying all the heavy boxes while his buddy had to leave for an emergency at the last minute.
Regardless, his one-year deal worth over $2 million is a little better than pizza and beer, so Cobb is sticking it out on what looks to be a suddenly less-than-stellar Jets team. On Sunday against the Patriots, he had one reception for 12 yards, but he also nearly caught a Hail Mary as time expired that would have won the game.
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Afterward, he said, “The reason we lost is because I dropped the Hail Mary. That’s point blank, period.” Watching the replay, it wasn’t exactly a drop; more like a near-miracle play, but leave it to Cobb to take the blame anyway.
Lonnie Johnson and Mike Edwards each get an interception
It was quite the weekend for both current and former Kentucky defensive backs. While Maxwell Hairston was busy setting interception-related records against Vanderbilt on Sunday, Lonnie Johnson Jr. and Mike Edwards snagged two picks themselves on Sunday.
Johnson played just eight defensive snaps for the New Orleans Saints against the Green Bay Packers but made them count, coming up with a nice interception on an overthrow by Jordan Love. It led to him grading out the best according to PFF among all former ‘Cats.
Mike Edwards also got into the turnover party, intercepting his own pass for the Kansas City Chiefs. He made his big play by catching a tipped pass from the Bears’ Justin Fields. As every announcer everywhere is eager to tell you, that’s why they do tip drills in practice, kids.
BBNFL snap counts, PFF player grades for Week 3
PFF grades reflect the players’ respective offensive or defensive grades unless the first snap count listed is special teams.
| Player | Pos | Stats | PFF Grade |
| Lonnie Johnson Jr. (NO) | S | 8 defensive snaps, 21 ST snaps, 1 INT, 1 assist | 77.2 |
| Mike Edwards (KC) | S | 21 snaps, 1 INT, 1 assist | 76.7 |
| Luke Fortner (JAX) | C | 73 snaps | 72.3 |
| Josh Allen (JAX) | LB | 39 snaps, 1 tackle, 1 assist, 3 QB hits | 70.8 |
| Za’Darius Smith (CLE) | DE | 30 snaps, 2 pressures, 1 tackle, 1 assist | 70.7 |
| Bud Dupree (ATL) | LB | 53 snaps, 1 tackle, 1 assist, 2 pressures | 69.6 |
| Jamin Davis (WAS) | LB | 53 snaps, 6 tackles, 4 assists | 68.9 |
| Kelvin Joseph (MIA) | CB | 15 defensive snaps, 26 ST snaps, 1 tackle | 68.1 |
| Wan’Dale Robinson (NYG) | WR | 11 snaps, 5 targets, 4 rec, 21 yards | 67.3 |
| Brandin Echols (NYJ) | CB | 3 defensive snaps, 23 ST snaps | 63.7 |
| Chris Rodriguez Jr. (WAS) | RB | 14 ST snaps, 1 offensive snap | 63.1 |
| Lynn Bowden Jr. (NO) | WR | 5 snaps | 56.1 |
| Carrington Valentine (GB) | CB | 32 defensive snaps, 9 ST snaps | 52.7 |
| Randall Cobb (NYJ) | WR | 46 snaps, 2 targets, 1 rec, 12 yards | 48.3 |
| Landon Young (NO) | OT | 6 offensive snaps, 4 ST snaps | 30.9 |
| Josh Ali (ATL) | WR | No snaps | |
| Josh Paschal (DET) | DE | Injured Reserve | |
| Will Levis (TEN) | QB | Inactive |
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