Demarcus Robinson to Philly?
Recent Super Bowl Champion Wide Receiver Demarcus Robinson has been linked to the Eagles in Free Agency.
Rumors abound as we wade deeper into the NFL Dark Ages. As we wait for the draft and free agency, everyone becomes a pundit. Tom Brady will be in LA. Amari Cooper will leave Dallas. Like the annual “Way-too-early top 25” college basketball teams breaking an hour after the nets are cut in March Madness, hot takes abound.
Here’s one you should hate: Demarcus Robinson to Philadelphia.
Whispers have it the Kansas City receiver is a target for Philadelphia, potentially filling the void left by Nelson Agholor should he walk. But while a career year in 2019 and Super Bowl ring last week make Robinson seem like a breakout candidate on the cusp of greatness, his track record over a four-year career suggests little return on investment.
Prior to the 2016 draft, Robinson’s head coach at Florida Jim McElwain stated, “I really don’t get it” when asked about the receiver’s decision to leave school early for the draft. Robinson was projected to be a Day 3 pick, so the head-scratching adds up. However, Robinson was also scouted by the Eagles, even invited to a private meeting with Howie Roseman before the draft. In a draft where we held few picks, Kansas City snuck in and picked the Florida product in the 4th round.
Last year Robinson “exploded” onto the scene for 449 yards and 4 touchdowns on 32 receptions. That underwhelming stat line can be explained away by opportunity. Playing behind Travis Kelce, Tyreek Hill, and Sammy Watkins means having fewer chances to make big plays. Being WR3/4 and putting up those figures is nothing to shy away from.
Nevertheless, he was also catching balls from the most prolific quarterback talent in the league while being coached by one of the best offensive minds in the NFL. Where limits on opportunity could hinder production, talent and circumstance should have also spurred better numbers. The Reid/Mahomes effect on their weapons definitely boosts stats, and regressing from 32/449/4 is a scary thought.
Worse yet, in Week 2 Robinson put up a 6/172/2 line against the Raiders, good for the best game of his career and one of the best single-game showings of any receiver this year. Remove those numbers from his full-season stats and you are looking at 277 yards and 2 touchdowns in 15 games.
Again, opportunity loss due to his position in the depth chart is a valid excuse. However, rookie teammate Mecole Hardman, slated behind Robinson, outranked him in yards (536) and touchdowns (6) this season. Keeping in mind his limited role, Robinson underperformed less experienced players who had fewer chances.
Even with those changes, Robinson finished the season with a 12.5% drop rate, good for 93rd in the league. For reference, the Eagles were notorious for dropping the ball this year, stymying a swath of red-zone appearances and two-minute drills, yet finished the season with a 9.7% drop rate. Adding him would somehow make this offense more culpable to dropping the ball.
Listen, Robinson is not a great receiver. He is also not an abomination. If the Eagles get him on a cheap deal to line up behind at least Alshon Jeffery and DeSean Jackson, he could have value.
With an elite draft class of receivers, competing divisional rival suitors, and decidedly underwhelming numbers, Demarcus Robinson cannot be the answer to our questions.
Look elsewhere, Howie.
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