Giants Free-Agency Targets: WR Allen Robinson

The New York Giants are set to embark on their most important offseason in recent memory. The decisions made by general manager Dave Gettleman this spring will be critical in determining whether Big Blue can continue confidently on their current path, or if they’ll have to press the reset button once again. With that in mind, let’s examine the potential free agents that could propel this team to playoff contention.

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Today, the player we’re considering is Chicago Bears wide receiver Allen Robinson.

The Resume

Robinson is a seven-year NFL veteran with one Pro Bowl season (2015) under his belt. He spent the first four years of his career with the Jacksonville Jaguars before moving to Chicago for the last three. Despite playing with subpar quarterbacks in Blake Bortles and Mitch Trubisky for his entire career, he has three thousand-plus-yard receiving seasons (including each of the last two) and has never averaged less than 11 yards per reception. He led the league in touchdown catches with 14 in 2015, but hasn’t exceeded seven in any other year.

The Penn State product missed all but one game in 2017 with a torn ACL, but has otherwise proven to be durable. In his seven other seasons, he’s played in 87 of a possible 96 games.

The Fit

In a word, ideal. At 6’2, 220 pounds, he has a solid track record of being the main target on multiple offenses. Robinson is the number-one receiver New York’s offense craves. While not dominant in any particular area, he’s as close to a complete wideout you’ll find. He’s a sharp, crafty route-runner who gains consistent seperation. He’s also good in contested catch situations, and can threaten defenses vertically while still producing at the intermediate level.

With Darius Slayton pencilled in as the Giants’ speed/deep receiver, and Sterling Shepard established in the slot, Robinson would slide in perfectly as the main, all-around target. He would thrive as quarterback Daniel Jones‘ top option on most passing plays, commanding double teams to give Big Blue’s other weapons more room to operate. There may be no other player on the market more suited to the Giants’ needs.

The Cost

According to Spotrac, Robinson’s estimated market value is $20 million annually, which sounds about right. That number puts him in line with some of the game’s top receivers, alongside Keenan Allen, Michael Thomas, and Amari Cooper. While his career production may be a tick below those guys, it’s rare someone of his talent hits unrestricted free agency. Robinson will certainly be able to command that type of money, if not more.

Signing Robinson would take a significant bite out of New York’s cap space. They’d have to restructure other contracts to make the requisite room, especially if they resign their own unrestricted free agents. Of course, there’s a chance he won’t hit the open market. Chicago could franchise tag him or sign him to a new deal.

Should the Giants be Interested?

Abso-freaking-lutely. Signing Robinson would fill New York’s most dire need with a top-tier player. It would then allow them to draft for defense, or simply take the best prospect available. If the Giants can ink Robinson to a deal close to fair market value, they should unquestionably do it.

– Ryan Cuneo is the Managing Editor of Full Press Giants. He covers the New York Giants. Like and follow on Follow @ryan_cuneo Follow @FullPressGiants and Facebook.

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