Allen Robinson’s 2016 decline among year’s biggest, but he can rebound

Any time a player like Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Allen Robinson struggles, it’s bound to be noticed, making 2016’s list of big-name players that failed to deliver.

Pro Football Focus lauded Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Allen Robinson after his breakout 2015 season. Robinson made PFF’s list of the top-10 breakout players of the year following his dominant second season.

But that didn’t stop PFF from being critical, either. Jeff Ratcliffe accurately predicted that Robinson wouldn’t repeat 2015’s impressive production, calling him a “prime regression candidate.”

Ratcliffe was certainly right. With 517 less yards and eight fewer touchdowns despite being targeted exactly the same number of times (151), Robinson’s regression was clear. There was bad quarterback play from Blake Bortles, yes, but Robinson simply didn’t deliver on the 50/50 balls or impose his will as much as he had the year before.

For the lack of production and the inability to deliver on the same opportunities, PFF added him to their recent list of big-name players that failed to deliver in 2016. Writes PFF’s Ryan Smith:

"Robinson is another young player who seemingly came out of nowhere a year ago, earning an 86.2 grade in 2015. Much of the former Nittany Lion’s work came after the catch (4.4 yards after catch per reception) that season. In 2016, he saw virtually the same number of targets and catchable targets (six less), but his YAC was not duplicated, with just 2.7 yards per reception coming after the catch. He also forced six fewer missed tackles."

While this highlights a clear regression in one aspect (yards after the catch), it would be a lot easier to point out other things as well. Despite that 1.7 yards after catch decrease, Robinson also had a massive 5.4 yards per catch decrease. He wasn’t nearly the big-play threat that he was in 2015.

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The Jacksonville Jaguars have a lot to reevaluate before the 2017 season rolls around and one thing they need to zero in on is how to get Robinson better involved in the most productive way. 151 targets and a meager 48.3 percent catch rate is not going to cut it. Robinson has to be put in a position to catch those passes and also make those catches count in bigger ways.

This will be a tough task for Bortles and offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett. Some of it will involve creative plays that allow Robinson to get open and a lot will also have to deal with relying on other players to take pressure off Robinson (Marqise Lee was the second-most targeted player with just 105 targets). In addition, the running game must be used to open up the passing game more.

There are high execution hurdles in front of the Jaguars. If they can’t make it work, Robinson may end up on another disappointment list in 2017.