NEWSLETTER
ESPN has rolled out its statistical projections for the 2020 season. And while the numbers are shared primarily for fantasy purposes, the potential reality of the situation has me intrigued — especially when it comes to the projected outlook for Chicago Bears receiver Allen Robinson II.
Check out the projected numbers …
• 138 targets
• 85 catches
• 1,035 receiving yards
• 6 touchdowns
… which make him the 12th best fantasy receiver for this season.
Now, those numbers would actually represent a step backward for Robinson compared to last season, during which he led the team in targets (154), catches (98), and receiving yards (1,147). But given that projections are generally conservative by nature, I think it’s fair to be optimistic on this baseline.
And, of course, there remains so much obvious untapped upside for a receiver like Robinson, who hasn’t had much help from quarterbacks over the years. I don’t want to use this space to pile on Mitchell Trubisky, but he ranked 18th in completion percentage, 30th in TD%, 32nd in yards per attempt, and 28th in quarterback rating among qualifiers last season, and Robinson STILL put up huge numbers. If Trubisky takes a step forward and/or if Nick Foles takes over, there could be a fairly instantaneous boost.
In any case, a healthy, still-in-his-prime Robinson figures to be well-positioned to put up great numbers in a contract year. Makes me feel tingly just thinking about it.
Seriously, this guy rocks:
Top-9 success rate vs. man coverage scores in 2019 #ReceptionPerception:
1) Allen Robinson 79.3%
2) Michael Thomas 78.6%
3) Davante Adams 78%
4) Calvin Ridley 77.6%
5) Tyler Lockett 77.5%
6) DeAndre Hopkins 77%
7) Tyreek Hill 76.7%
8) Keenan Allen 76.6%
9) Stefon Diggs 76.5%— Matt Harmon (@MattHarmon_BYB) June 10, 2020
Part of me wants to scream from the top of a hill that the Allen Robinson breakout is coming. But technically speaking, Robinson has already had his breakout. In fact, he’s had a few of them. So this is less about a breakout and more about putting some respect on the name of one of the best receivers in the NFL, who seemingly gets overlooked because his quarterbacks have done him no favors over the years.
So until Robinson gets his due across the land, there is only one proper answer to this .gif:
— Bleacher Nation Bears (@BN_Bears) June 16, 2020
