NFL
Is Allen Robinson the Next Great NFL Wide Receiver?
Odell Beckham, Sammy Watkins and Mike Evans get all the hype, but is Allen Robinson in their league?

Thank you for clicking on this article -- it's the most love the Jacksonville Jaguars have received in a long time. 2007 was the last time the team posted a winning record, and while optimism seems to now surround the much maligned franchise, it has yet to translate into results on the field.

2014 in particular saw the team stockpile talent on the offensive side of the ball, investing premium draft picks in quarterback emerged as one of the most efficient tight ends in the NFL. And in the absence of big plays or red zone potential, it’s hard to see how Robinson becomes anything more than a volume dependent possession receiver. This could produce value in fantasy football PPR formats, but in standard formats where touchdowns and yardage totals are essential, Robinson’s 2014 season did little to provide hope that a substantive breakout is coming.

Now, it’s fair to blame Blake Bortles for much of the mediocrity. He was simply terrible as a rookie, posting a -97.97 Passing NEP, which puts him in the ballpark of NFL greats like Pro Football Focus charted Robinson with only one dropped pass on the season, and he consistently demonstrated the ability to make difficult catches in traffic. The tape also shows a player often working routes that have him coming back to the ball, allowing him little opportunity to produce after the catch or make plays down the field.

Curb Your Enthusiasm

Look, the numbers aren't fantastic. But the hope is that there is so much more to Robinson's game than we have even seen! That his natural athleticism and talent for the position will continue to improve alongside the offense around him, vaulting him into the conversation with sophomore sensations like Odell Beckham Jr. and Mike Evans.

What is more likely, however, is that Robinson simply doesn't have the elite tools to emerge as the next great receiver from the 2014 class. While he can still be an effective player in the short and intermediate passing game, his inability to gain separation down the field will cap his fantasy value, especially in non-PPR formats. While we can expect his efficiency to improve as he matures and Bortles perhaps sucks a bit less, Robinson seemingly isn't in the same class as some of his 2014 counterparts. With expectations in check, however, he could still have a solid season as a security blanket in the Jaguars improving offense.

Take what you can get, Jacksonville.

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