Allen Robinson will get great value in free agency
The Jacksonville Jaguars decided not to place their franchise tag on Allen Robinson, setting the receiver up for a significant payday.
On Tuesday, the Jaguars reportedly informed wide receiver Allen Robinson that they would not be using the franchise tag to retain him. Robinson missed all but the first offensive possession of 2017 with a torn ACL, casting a shadow over his impending free agency.
Perhaps it was the injury that made Jacksonville brass leery of keeping him around. Regardless, it’s the wrong decision for the team, but a blessing in disguise for the player.
Robinson is only 24 years old, and hitting a market without a bevy of star receivers alongside him. With the Miami Dolphins tagging Jarvis Landry, his biggest competition is Sammy Watkins.
Watkins, 25, caught 39 passes for 593 yards in 2017 despite playing on a high-flying Los Angeles Rams offense. Robinson dwarfed those numbers n 2015 and ’16, even while saddled with Blake Bortles.
When the NFL free agent tampering period begins on March 12, Robinson’s representation will be busy. There are a legion of teams with clear needs at receiver that also happen to have deep pockets, ranging from the San Francisco 49ers and Chicago Bears to the New York Jets and Carolina Panthers.
Although the NFL is a what-have-you-done-for-me-lately proposition, Robinson’s 2015 campaign can’t be ignored. The former Penn State star went off for 80 receptions, 1,400 yards and 14 touchdowns. The following year, Jacksonville put nothing around him again, and he still totaled 73 catches for 883 yards and six touchdowns.
Now, Robinson can play his free agency one of two ways. He can go the Jeremy Maclin route, or he can try for long-term security at the potential expense of bigger money.
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After tearing his ACL at training camp in 2013, Maclin signed a one-year deal with the Philadelphia Eagles and balled out, notching career-highs of 1,318 yards and 10 scores. The following spring, Maclin signed a five-year, $55 million deal with the Kansas City Chiefs.
Robinson could absolutely take a lucrative one-year deal and show his talents, then cash in as a 25-year-old coming off a healthy season. He could also try to ink a four or five-year pact worth $20-25 million in guarantees, setting him up for life. However, that contract would be at a bit of a discounted rate because of the injury risk.
Either way, Robinson is in great position, with teams about to have a bidding war for his services.