Allen Robinson won’t drop the ball for the LA Rams

The LA Rams drafted All-Pro defensive lineman Aaron Donald in the 2014 NFL Draft. The Jacksonville Jaguars drafted the wide receiver out of Penn State, Allen Robinson, with the 61st overall pick of the 2014 NFL Draft. The belief was that he would eventually become their go-to receiver for years to come. They had drafted quarterback Blake Bortles with their third overall pick, and Robinson was added to ensure Bortles would have an offensive weapon to begin their reign as the face of Jacksonville.

Robinson would play four seasons with the Jaguars, followed by four seasons with the Chicago Bears. Throughout his NFL career, he would put up incredible numbers (1400 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns in his second NFL season), followed by anemic production (he caught just one pass in 2017, a year in which he suffered an early ACL injury in the season opener).

Now? He’s about to play for the LA Rams.

Good production in the past

So what is so intriguing about Allen Robinson? For the untrained eye, he may not appear to be the type of receiver who would set off the bells and whistles that would attract the LA Rams front office. The Rams have historically sought route runners first, and deep-threats second. Robinson appears to run good routes, is not remarkably swift, and has been inconsistent in his production.

But his draft profile did indicate that he was an NFL starter in the making. Citing his ability to make elevated catches, put up significant yards after making the catch, and create optimal red zone targets suggests that he is a new breed of receiver that the LA Rams have not ventured towards in the past.

And yet Robinson has been a consistent starting wide receiver in the NFL. He’s averaged five touchdowns per season, over 800 yards per season, and a catch percentage of 58.3 percent. Good production, but not great production. So what is it that makes the LA Rams believe he could be special in this offense?