Did NT A’Shawn Robinson do enough to return for 2021?

A year ago, the LA Rams were facing an offseason in which long time defensive lineman Michael Brockers was projected to sign a lucrative deal. He did so with the Baltimore Ravens almost immediately. In response, the LA Rams signed former Detroit Lions DT A’Shawn Robinson to a multi-year deal. Then things began to become complicated.

Brockers deal with the Ravens fell through due to a ‘failed physical’.  Almost immediately, the Rams stepped up and agreed to re-sign Brockers to a contract of identical terms. In short, the Ravens set Brockers’ market value, and the Rams simply picked up the tab.

Meanwhile, newly signed Robinson was diagnosed with a medical condition that was not related to football. While he was being treated, he was sidelined for half the 2020 NFL season. As a result, Brockers’ return was crucial in propelling the Rams defense to the Top-Ranked defense of the NFL.

Eventually, Robinson returned to the rotation. But by that time, the Rams had already established the defensive front. As a result, Robinson averaged under 15 defensive snaps per game in the last half of the season. That didn’t bode well for Robinson. For the year, he recorded just 12 tackles and one quarterback hit.  Pro Football Focus was displeased with the effort, grading him at just 45.6 for the 2020 season

However, he did show up in the playoffs. In just two games, with a limited rotation, he recorded six tackles and one forced fumble. Not surprisingly, PFF gave him an eye-opening grade of 76.5 for the 2020 postseason.

So the question is, did he do enough to return in 2021? Right now, he is on track to take home $5.25 million in 2021. Cost-wise, he is currently the tenth most expensive contract on the team’s books in 2021. Will he project to contribute significantly for this upcoming season?  Likely not. So it’s very likely that the LA Rams will look to rework his contract in order to keep him on the roster.

If he is unwilling to do so, the Rams have no guaranteed money on the hook and could save $4.5 million by waiving him for salary cap reasons. Let’s hope it doesn’t come down to that. Robinson showed that he can play very well within the Rams defensive scheme, and can outmuscle physical offensive linemen. But the Rams cannot afford him at $5.25 million.

The Rams would like to get that price below $3 million for 2021. With a limited budget all over the NFL, that may still be Robinson’s best bet.