Jaguars must consider bringing back WR Allen Robinson in free agency

The Jacksonville Jaguars need help at wide receiver but with Michael Gallup and Chris Godwin suffering serious injuries in 2021, this year’s wide receiver market may not be as vast as it originally looked. Having said that, there will still be a few enticing options available, including Allen Robinson, who spent the first four years of his NFL career in Duval.

Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report recently put together a list of dark horse destinations for the NFL’s biggest free agents in 20222 and he sees Robinson landing with the Jags. Knox acknowledges that the 2014 second-round pick is coming off a down year, tallying just 410 yards and one touchdown in 2022. However, he also notes that he logged more than 1,100 receiving yards in both 2019 and 2020, so last year might have been the exception, not the norm. Knox goes on to explain why Robinson makes sense for the Jaguars.

"Robinson can still be a No. 1 receiver for the right team. The Jacksonville Jaguars wouldn’t appear to be that team at a glance. Robinson left Jacksonville in 2018 free agency, and after a disastrous 2021 season, the Jaguars aren’t likely to be a huge free-agent draw. However, a return to Jacksonville could make sense for Robinson. The Jaguars don’t have a true No. 1 receiver on their roster, but they do have a talented young signal-caller in rookie No. 1 overall pick Trevor Lawrence."

Robinson would give the Jaguars a number one wide receiver. He can still get deep and could create opportunities for his fellow wide receivers. As Knox points out, he’s never had a top quarterback throw him passes but he would have one in Trevor Lawrence if he decides to return to Jacksonville.

The Jaguars must bolster their wide receiver group in the 2022 offseason.

DJ Chark is coming off an ankle fracture and is scheduled to become a free agent. Even if the Jaguars re-sign him, they will need to make more additions to their wide receiver corps if they want Trevor Lawrence to take the next step in his development.  Last year, Marvin Jones Jr. was their top wide receiver, hauling in 73 receptions for 832 yards and four touchdowns. Signing Robinson and bringing back Chark would allow Jones to step back into a complementary role, one he’s better suited for.

The Jaguars will have enough cap space (around $63 million) to make Robinson a competitive offer. They let him walk in free agency in 2018 because he was coming off a torn ACL he suffered in Week 1 of the 2017 season. The 2015 Pro Bowl came back from the injury and had no setbacks during his tenure with the Chicago Bears. Set to become a free agent once again, he could make a return to Jacksonville after four years.

Robinson should still have plenty of gas and if the Jaguars want to address the wide receiver position in free agency, he will be one of their top two options. There’s nothing stopping both parties from arranging a reunion this offseason.