Allen Robinson Trade Grades: Steelers Add WR in Low-Risk, High-Uptrend Move; Rams move on after failed signing
The Pittsburgh Steelers added a proven veteran to their offense when they acquired wide receiver Allen Robinson in a trade with the Los Angeles Rams. Robinson spent his physical Wednesday in Pittsburgh, according to ESPNand paves the way to officially joining the Steelers.
His arrival comes after the 29-year-old was limited to 10 games with the Rams in 2022 due to a foot injury. He was officially placed on injured reserve in late November after it was discovered he would have to undergo foot surgery at the end of the season. So it appears that Pittsburgh will extensively study how Robinson’s foot has evolved before finalizing the trade.
Compensation, returning to Los Angeles, is a seventh-round pick (No. 234). Meanwhile, Pittsburgh receives a seventh (No. 251) along with Robinson, per ESPN. The wideout signed a three-year, $46.5 million deal with the Rams just last offseason and will have $15.25 million in guaranteed money next season. ESPN notes that the Rams will pay $10.25 million of Robinson’s salary and the Steelers will pick up the remaining $5 million.
Robinson came to the league in 2014 as a second-round pick from the Jacksonville Jaguars from Penn State. His most prolific season came in 2015 with the Jags, where he caught 80 balls for 1,400 yards and 14 touchdown receptions in the league, resulting in the only Pro Bowl nod of his career. In 2018, he entered free agency and signed a $43 million contract with the Chicago Bears. He had consecutive 1,000-yard seasons in 2019 and 2020. For the Rams last season, Robinson had 33 receptions for 339 yards and three touchdowns.
Robinson joins a Steelers wide receiver room that also includes Diontae Johnson and George Pickens.
trade classes
Steelers: B+
This is a low risk trading style for Pittsburgh. You’re essentially swapping seventh rounds and paying just $5 million to see if Robinson can look more like the player we saw in 2020 when he was a member of the Bears. With Johnson and Pickens already in the group, Robinson isn’t considered a top-2 option in the Steelers’ passing offense, but rather a high-profile third option. Also, considering Robinson’s background as quarterbacks, it’s worth pointing out that Kenny Pickett is arguably one of the best passers he’s ever had at the NFL level. If Robinson is healthy it will be fascinating to see this offense improve as Pickett moves into Year 2.
Aries: F
This was one of the franchise’s worst signings in recent memory. Robinson was limited to just 10 games in an injury-packed season for the Rams in 2022 and will receive $25.75 million in cash for that short tenure. While you can praise a team for cutting its losses, essentially paying two-thirds of Robinson’s 2023 guaranteed money to move up just 17 spots in the seventh round isn’t exactly the kind of return, uber that you look forward to.
