Is LA Rams WR Allen Robinson recruiting former teammate Akiem Hicks?

Hicks could rejuvenate his career on the LA Rams roster

The impact of the Aaron Donald effect on most veterans is to rejuvenate their careers. You can expect that to happen almost from the moment that Hicks arrives on the scene. But it could be a two-way street, couldn’t it? The presence of veteran defensive lineman Ndamukong Suh was the key to unlocking over 20 sacks from Donald. Offensive linemen were forced to choose who to double up on and often made the wrong decision that year.

Should Hicks ever line up next to Aaron Donald, which would present a similar damned-if-you-do-damned-if-you-don’t enigma to offensive linemen and offensive coordinators? Their likely choice would be to double up on Donald, but that would free up Hicks in the middle of the offensive line to crash in on the quarterback with the shortest distance possible.

If the offensive line chooses to stop Hicks in his tracks, then the quarterback will be running for his life long before he can set up to throw the football. Donald’s production spikes, attracting the attention of blockers to take him by pairs once more. That frees up Hicks once more. Wash. Rinse. Repeat.

Hicks has been in the NFL for 11 seasons and has likely reached that point of his NFL career where hoisting the Lombardi Trophy is among his top priorities before he is willing to step away from the game. The LA Rams are the defending NFL Champions and are certainly not sitting on their laurels expecting to earn the right to play in Super Bowl LVII simply by showing up. The Rams’ front office has remained aggressive, adding significant talent to both the offense and defense already.

That type of activity encourages players to come aboard, perhaps at a discount. After all, playing for the LA Rams for one season, playing well, would reset the market value of Hicks to sign elsewhere for a much higher amount than he is being offered now. One year now, one final multi-year contract next season. It makes sense for the LA Rams, and for Akiem Hicks.  Now, sit back and see if Allen Robinson can get the ball rolling between the two sides on a deal to play for the Rams.