ADF Player Spotlight – Allen Robinson

Allen Robinson – Wide Receiver #12

Chicago Bears

Height: 6-3   Weight: 211   Age: 25

Born: 8/24/1993 Detroit, MI

College: Penn State

Experience: 6th season

High School: St. Mary's Prep [Orchard Lake, MI]

The Past

Yet another one who came from that infamous wide receiver class of 2014, Allen Robinson has seen his share of ups and downs, perhaps more so then most of his draft counterparts. Starting his career with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Robinson was trending in the right direction after his second season which saw him amass career high league leading numbers. Following that 2015 season up with disappointment the year after, Robinson feel victim to uneven team dynamics which resulted in far less production than what was expected.

Looking to reaffirm himself on the NFL stage as one of the better pass catchers to come from that 2014 class, disaster struck in that 2017 season, in week one, where Robinson fell to the ground and suffered what was later confirmed to be a torn ACL. There’s nothing worse for an NFL player who’s entering a contract season only to lose the entire campaign to injury recovery and missed time.  

With how things went down in Jacksonville on his final season under his rookie contract, the Jaguars elected to move in another direction ultimately sending him to free agency. Amidst that lost season, Robinson still held strong interest from multiple clubs and chose to latch on with the up and coming Chicago Bears.

While expectations varied entering last season with the Bears, we truly couldn’t identify what would be the final outcome. Robinson did flash that skill as seen from the past, but injuries again reared its ugly head. What came to pass was a much improved squad in Chicago with Robinson gaining valuable chemistry with his starting quarterback. Entering his sixth season in the league at still the youthful age of 25 years old, we could say that Robinson has merely scratched the surface for what he could become.  

The Future

Entering the 2019 offseason the Bears will be looking to improve on what was a very successful 2018 campaign. Concluding the year with a 12-4 record while finding their way back to the postseason, Chicago and Allen Robinson are literally on the ground floor for what they could become.

When we went back to review this Bears roster as a whole, we concluded that anyone would be hard pressed to find a more balanced squad oozing with supreme potential. By the end of last season, Coach Matt Nagy appeared to have the first stages of his offensive installation running perfectly which would promote encouragement to add more for the new year. With Mitchell Trubisky showing great progression in his first full season as the team starter, one can only imagine what the future has in store.

We’ve heard much discussion arise for what the potential ceiling is for Allen Robinson in this offense given the fact that many playmakers fill the depth chart. Clearly, while it appeared Robinson was over his ACL injury last season, we can find many contests where he didn’t look overly polished. While we don’t believe he had any real setback to that surgically repaired knee, perhaps it had everything to do with confidence which held him back.

For the prospects of evaluating this Bears club for the new season, it’s our contention that Robinson should reassert himself as the primary target and should receive the lions share. While many feel that others will take the target share from him, for Robinson to rise back to levels of that 2015 season, 120 targets should be the floor and key for success.    

The Outlook & Fantasy Impact

As we head into fantasy draft season, many continue to undervalue the Bears wide receiver Allen Robinson. While we too have been found guilty of this, a new found appreciation for what could be achieved in 2019 has us extremely excited and optimistic.

With any player coming to a new club, transitional period of adjustment should be expected. Robinson still showed sound ability and growing chemistry with his young quarterback. Looking forward, having another full offseason of preparation should only do wonders for how these two will grow on the field. Added dynamics to this offense include a more preferred player at the running back position (David Montgomery), which should be conducive to the Matt Nagy schemes. Having an offense which is vastly multidimensional will provide Robinson the room he requires to get open down field.

Currently, Robinson holds an average ranking hovering around 25th for wide receivers, making his services able to be pilfered around the mid fourth round. While we can understand and appreciate the fear attached to his overall game, this offense is ready to explode and Robinson should be a vocal piece. We have no issues placing him higher up the board and have become very confident that statistical achievements will be vast.

If our speculation comes to fruition, Allen Robinson will see anywhere form 120-130 targets on the season which will propel him back over the 1000 yard mark on around 70 to 75 receptions. You will be holding a WR1 when all is said and done for the bargain price of a fourth or fifth round selection. Don’t sleep on Allen Robinson for the upcoming season as big things are on the docket.