Updated: St. Louis Rams trade for Atlanta WR Laurent Robinson
The Rams need help at the wide receiver position and got some Monday by trading for Atlanta wideout Laurent Robinson. The Rams acquired Robinson by switching draft positions with the Falcons in both the fifth and sixth rounds. They didn’t lose any picks; they just changed positions in both rounds with Atlanta.
The Rams get Atlanta’s fifth-round (No. 160 overall) and sixth-round (No. 196 overall) picks; Atlanta gets the Rams’ fifth-round (No. 138 overall) and sixth-round (No. 176 overall) picks.
Robinson was a third-round pick by the Falcons out of Illinois State in 2007. Rams general manager Billy Devaney was with the Falcons at that time and in the draft room when Robinson was selected.
Robinson started six games for the Falcons as a rookie, including the season opener. For the year, he appeared in 15 games with 37 catches for 437 yards. His only TD of the year was a 74-yard catch-and-run against Arizona in Game 15.
But Robinson was a Bobby Petrino draft pick, and fell out of favor with new head coach Mike Smith in 2008. Slowed by hamstring problems, Robinson appeared in just six games for the Falcons last season, catching five passes for 52 yards.
Robinson has good size at 6-2, 194 pounds, and is considered a speed guy with good hands. But the injury problems didn’t help his cause in Atlanta. Neither did the fact that he wasn’t considered physical enough by Smith’s staff, particularly as a blocker.
The Rams’ inherit his contract as a result of the trade, and Robinson comes cheaply. He has two years left on his contract and is scheduled to make $460,000 this season and $550,000 in 2010.
The Rams have made no promises about his role in St. Louis; he will simply compete for playing time.
Avery gets blocked back by DB’s coming off the line, and he’s a little light, and a probable injury risk. But Avery can blaze, and is excellent yards after catch, if he keeps his confidence up. He needs a big attention grabbing WR on the other side. Burton is more well rounded than Avery, but is really just an excellent #4 guy. If Robinson isn’t very physical than he’s just a #3 wideout, 6′2 or not. Depending on what Avery turns out to be, we still need a #1 WR or #2 WR depending on Avery’s improvement. Do we take that position over OT, LB, or DT/DE, now? We need twice as many picks defense than offense, but we don’t move the ball without improved blocking: therefore we must go Offensive Tackle. Though I’d rather have the top linebacker.
signing a QB, then a WR, shows you that these positions are eliminated in the draft….Barron as a left tackle makes sense, seeing that this is “the” position he played in college, remember 2 yrs ago this guy filled in for Pace and did a good job ( 3 1/2 sacks in 15 games)…. Goldberg is still a fill in until we draft a right OT in the draft…..So that leaves our #2 for “CURRY” the MLB of the future and allows them to draft an OT with the second or 3rd pick, all the options change guys stop going for the okie doke and pay attention to what this team is doing, Devaney and Spags are making choices albeit the right choice or not but they are showing you what direction they are taking
Twenty names in two rounds is not what I would call giving up nothing. Maybe Billy knows something about this kid making it worth it. I also don’t think this is any kind of indicator of the draft by the Rams. This kid might just be a big maybe.
jrystm, you might have it right but I bet anything a wide receiver is picked in this draft by the Rams earlier than later.
I remember when Robert Thomas was supposed to be our LB of the future
I’m not sure what to make of this move. Never heard of the guy, but from the story it sounds like he’s injury prone and might not have made it with the Falcons. I was hoping we’d sign Plexaco Buress. I figured Spags probably knew him from NY. He’d be a big time weapon down field provided he doesn’t shoot himself again. I still hope maybe we grab him and give him a chance.
this guy could be our #2 and move avery to 1 until something else happens i would not be mad at that. i would like Plaxico more, but this kid can play good sign BD
Absolutely love this deal - mainly because I’m an ISU alum, but more importantly, I think he can help the Rams as the third receiver. He has speed, but he also has great hands. I know the story also said that, but I saw it in person several times.
listenup naysayers! we here in st.louis arent accustom to action like this,billy d. rocks!
I just cant understand this…, desperation. Why are some of you so quick to suggest picking up Plaxico Burress?
Too much DOWNSIDE! I just read, this morning - how he is now down in Florida - acting like an idiot. Cursing police out.
’speed’, you really have me sold on the idea that Avery needs an attention diversion. I don’t know if Robinson, can draw that kind of attention. I really doubt if any WR’s- in the draft, fit that bill.
I just looked him up, 75th pick overall in 2007, rated the 20th best WR in the draft that year, 6′2, 199 lbs. 4.34 in the 40. speedy guy.
So the numbers look good, now we have to give him the benefit of the doubt and see if he can play. Good pick up, especially when you consider that all we did was switch the order position in rounds 6th and 7th. Wow, good job Devaney! hope it works out.