Why FA WR Allen Robinson is ideal for LA Rams in 2022

LA Rams receiver upgrade 2.0?

Alternatively, the LA Rams could address the position with a more immediate upgrade by targeting a guy like free-agent wide receiver Allen Robinson.  Robinson, while pricey, has incredible upside, particularly when considering how he may play in this LA Rams offense. His projected market value is projected to be over $16 million a year.

Of course, that is cash, not salary cap impact. It might even be possible to bring in a veteran wide receiver, like Robinson, and resign OBJ.  With OBJ’s injury, the Rams may be able to re-sign him at a deferred discount. That is, the team could structure a contract to incentivize playing time and 2022 performance, allowing for the uncertainty that he could potentially miss the entire 2022 season or at the very least, the majority.

With the injuries to both WR Robert Woods and OBJ, there is a significant and immediate need at the wide receiver position that the LA Rams will need to address.  Right now, the team is likely to start WR Cooper Kupp and Van Jefferson, their top two healthy options. But we know that the Rams love to dabble at offensive skill players, so they could look to free agency to add a key player or two.

Why Robinson? Why not?

The upcoming NFL Draft has plenty of options as well, but rookie wide receivers typically don’t excel in year one, particularly in the LA Rams system where they are red-shirted for much of if not all of their first year.  There aren’t too many rookie wide receivers like Justin Jefferson or Ja’marr Chase who show explode into the NFL in their rookie season.

Allen Robinson is a very good veteran wide receiver who has been rather impressive his entire NFL career. That is despite the fact that he has generally caught passes from with weak quarterback play throughout his career. Still, he has managed to amass some very respectable numbers, which includes 2015 where he had 1,400 yards and 14 touchdowns from the throwing arm of Jacksonville Jaguars QB Blake Bortles. He also broke the 1K mark in 2020 with over 1,200 yards and 100+ receptions from the combination of Chicago Bears QBs Mitch Trubisky and Nick Foles.

Imagine what he could do opposite Cooper Kupp and an elite quarterback like Matthew Stafford? He immediately gives the Rams offense more weapons than any other NFL offense, and the Rams would have four potential 1000 yard wide receivers on the roster for another run at an NFL Championship.