The Pittsburgh Steelers are acquiring wide receiver Allen Robinson from the Los Angeles Rams pending a physical. The former Penn State star will be 30 years old in August and has been hampered by injuries in recent years. No word yet on the compensation the Steelers will be sending the Rams but one must think it’s likely in the form of 2024 collateral.
UPDATE: The Steelers will send a seventh-round draft pick (no. 234) and will receive the Rams seventh rounder (no. 251) along with Robinson.
Robinson was a Pro Bowler in his second season after being drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2014. After four seasons there, he spent four more in Chicago before heading to the LA Rams for the 2022. He was limited to just one game during the 2022 NFL season.
I do not believe the Steelers draft plans should be altered much by this acquisition. Receiver remains a priority that I believe they will address in the third or fourth round of next week’s draft. Robinson does bring in a veteran presence that this wide receiving corps has lacked in recent years but I’m not sure how much they can get out of him. Sometimes players like this have a “re-birth” of sorts and are motivated and energized to perform. Other times players see this opportunity to collect one last check before their career comes to a close.
Pittsburgh will likely pay only a portion of his $10 million salary for this season, but that doesn’t eliminate the head scratching that I and many others are doing today. This move has tremendous ‘boom or bust’ potential and not much in between. If he is healthy and can contribute from the slot with chain-moving catches and above-average blocking then the move will be proven worthy. If he’s hurt or doesn’t perform to his capabilities then the move looks really bad – almost William Jackson III level bad.
We’ll be updating the Steelers’ compensation as it becomes available.
