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A’Shawn Robinson

Panthers To Sign DT A’Shawn Robinson

March 12th, 2024 at 2:57pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Panthers made a pair of major investments on the offensive line yesterday, and the team is now committing a long-term deal to the other side of the ball. Veteran defensive tackle A’Shawn Robinson has agreed to a three-year, $22.5MM contract with Carolina, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports.

[RELATED: Panthers To Trade Brian Burns To Giants]

Garafolo notes Robinson received an endorsement from Panthers defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero. The pair were together when Robinson played with the Rams. That three-year stint saw him start 24 of 35 games between 2020 and ’22, although it was not sufficient to land him a multi-year deal in free agency last offseason.

Robinson joined the Giants on a one-year deal in 2023. That pact was worth up to $8MM in incentives, although the 28-year-old ultimately wound up earning its base value ($5MM). He has secured a much more lucrative investment this time around, and he will likely have a significant role to play in Carolina moving forward.

The Panthers have Derrick Brown in place as a foundational member of their D-line. The former top-1o pick enjoyed a career year in 2023, earning his first Pro Bowl nod. Brown is eligible for an extension, and talks on that front have begun. A new deal for the 25-year-old will be costly, and the overlap (starting in 2025) with Robinson’s accord will make the DT position one using up considerable cap resources.

Robinson started 13 of 17 games in New York last year, racking up 62 tackles (the second-highest mark of his career). The Alabama product was a non-factor in the passing game with no sacks and only one QB pressure, but his ability on early downs will be welcomed by Evero and Co. Carolina struggled in a number of capacities last season, including against the run. Improvement in that regard will be a key offseason goal, and the Robinson accord is one aimed at achieving it.

Minor NFL Transactions: 8/7/23

August 7th, 2023 at 8:54pm CST by Sam Robinson

Here are Monday’s minor moves:

Arizona Cardinals

Atlanta Falcons

  • Signed: OL LaColby Tucker
  • Activated from active/PUP list: DL Calais Campbell
  • Waived: DL Matthew Gotel

Baltimore Ravens

Cincinnati Bengals

  • Placed on IR: DT Devonnsha Maxwell

Cleveland Browns

Dallas Cowboys

Green Bay Packers

Kansas City Chiefs

Miami Dolphins

Minnesota Vikings

New York Giants

New York Jets

Philadelphia Eagles

  • Waived: OL Trevor Reid

Seattle Seahawks

  • Signed: LB Jordan Ferguson

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Washington Commanders

Streveler is currently dealing with an injury, ESPN’s Dianna Russini tweets. The Jets used Streveler as their top backup QB to close last season, inserting him into a Week 16 game ahead of Joe Flacco. Streveler stuck around via reserve/futures contract in January. But the Jets have since traded for Aaron Rodgers and signed Tim Boyle, marking a new era at quarterback. With Zach Wilson still around, the team does not appear to have any room — potentially even on the practice squad — for Streveler, who has played for the Jets and Cardinals in a three-year NFL career.

Apke has been with Washington since being chosen in the 2018 fourth round. He re-signed with the team in 2022 and stayed via reserve/futures contract in January. A shoulder injury, per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, will move Apke to IR, which will end his chances of playing a sixth season with the Commanders this year. Kalu started five games for the Titans last season, playing 494 defensive snaps. Over his first three seasons, Kalu had never cleared the 100-snap barrier on defense.

Schoonmaker suffered a foot injury, a plantar fascia tear, during his final year at Michigan. The Cowboys’ top post-Dalton Schultz tight end investment will aim to make a push for a regular role to begin the season.

The Dolphins made Blackman part of their UDFA class this year. The former Florida State starter spent six years in college, finishing up with Arkansas State. The Dolphins swapped out Teddy Bridgewater for Mike White this offseason, but Skylar Thompson has made a push to be Tua Tagovailoa‘s backup. Regardless of that competition’s outcome, Blackman’s ceiling appeared to be practice squad QB in Miami. But the Dolphins may be looking into outside help for that developmental role — provided the team plans on stashing a fourth passer on its taxi squad.

Giants, DT A’Shawn Robinson Agree To Deal

April 26th, 2023 at 8:29am CST by Adam La Rose

APRIL 26: In terms of base value, Robinson’s deal checks in at $5MM, Dan Duggan of The Athletic tweets. The Giants are guaranteeing the veteran defensive lineman $4MM. Robinson can earn $1MM in per-game roster bonuses; $3MM in incentives are available. Absent an extension before the 2024 league year, $2.1MM in dead money will be attached to this one-year agreement. The Giants used void years to minimize Robinson’s 2023 cap hit, Duggan tweets.

APRIL 24: The Giants have added one of the top remaining free agent defensive linemen in advance of this week’s draft. New York has agreed to terms on a one-year deal worth up to $8MM with A’Shawn Robinson, reports Ian Rapoport of NFL Network (Twitter link).

This news comes more than one month after Robinson visited the Giants, his only known sit-down with an outside team during his time as a free agent (though SNY’s Connor Hughes tweets that the Jets were interested as well). That meeting has eventually led to a deal, one which will allow him to join a talented defensive front and attempt to earn a longer-term pact on the open market next offseason.

The 28-year-old is coming off a three-year, $18MM contract with the Rams. Robinson started 24 of 35 games in Los Angeles, seeing his playing time increase with each passing season. He was productive during the team’s Super Bowl run in 2021, and remained a consistent run-stopper during his time on the West Coast. That led to a desire on the Rams’ part to work out a new contract, but they have spent much of this offseason shedding costs.

That left the door open to Robinson heading elsewhere on the open market as one of several veteran free agents in this year’s class. New York’s decision to host him signaled their interest in signing the former Lions second-rounder, but also their commitment to having notable depth along the defensive interior. Dexter Lawrence had a breakout season in 2022, and has likely played his way into a sizeable extension sometime this offseason. New York also has Leonard Williams in the fold; he is set to count for over $32MM on the team’s cap sheet this year.

Robinson will look to occupy at least a rotational role alongside those two in 2023, a campaign in which the Giants will aim to repeat the success of their defensive front from one year ago. A strong season could pay significant dividends for both team and player. The Rams, meanwhile, have now lost Robinson and Greg Gaines from their DT room, meaning the position could be one of interest in this week’s draft.

Giants To Host DL A’Shawn Robinson

March 18th, 2023 at 5:44pm CST by Adam La Rose

Much of the Giants’ moves have come on the offensive side of the ball so far in free agency, but a notable defensive addition could be in the cards. Defensive lineman A’Shawn Robinson will visit New York on Monday, as noted (on Twitter) by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

The 27-year-old entered the offseason as part of a deep defensive line free agent class, and had not previously been linked to a potential new home. He is coming off a three-year, $18MM deal given to him by the Rams the first time he hit the open market. Los Angeles has been reported to want a new deal with Robinson, something which they could come to prioritize even more now that fellow free agent Greg Gaines has agreed to terms on a deal with the Buccaneers.

Robinson’s playing time has fluctuated over the course of his career, both with the Lions and the Rams. He started 24 games across the past two seasons, though, as well as all four games during the Rams’ 2021 Super Bowl run. His PFF ratings have seen a wide range, although one constant has been his relative strength as a run defender rather than a pass-rushing presence. His most productive season came in 2021, when he totaled 67 tackles and a pair of sacks.

Retaining the former second-rounder would give the Rams a consistent running mate for Aaron Donald, but the latter is on a very short list of veterans the team is insistent on keeping amidst their financially-driven transition period. That would make it little surprise if Robinson were able to find an offer from an outside team that the Rams were unwilling to match.

The Giants already have 2019 first-rounder Dexter Lawrence in the middle of their defense. The former first-rounder had a highly productive breakout season in 2022, making a long-term extension a priority for the team. Leonard Williams is also on the books for next season at a scheduled cap hit of over $32MM, so a move aimed at lowering that figure could be coming soon. If they can find a way to make a Robinson addition work financially, New York’s defensive front would be well-positioned to repeat their success from last season.

NFC West Notes: Rams, Hopkins, Seahawks

January 18th, 2023 at 3:39pm CST by Sam Robinson

Coming off disappointing seasons, the Cardinals and Rams may be looking to make high-profile cost cuts. DeAndre Hopkins and Jalen Ramsey may well be available in trades, with the Washington Post’s Jason La Canfora noting deals involving the two former All-Pros will come down to “when” and they are moved and not “if.” Both Ramsey and Hopkins have already been traded, each moving from the AFC South to the NFC West — Ramsey in 2019 and Hopkins in 2020. Although Ramsey required two first-round picks to be pried from Jacksonville, La Canfora adds neither player should be expected to bring in the kind of haul fans would anticipate.

Both talents are signed to lucrative extensions. Ramsey’s five-year, $100MM deal (which set the cornerback market in 2020) runs through 2025. Hopkins’ $27.25MM contract runs through 2024. Ramsey, 28, should be expected to command more in a trade compared to Hopkins, 30. Coming off a suspension- and injury-limited 2022, latter has been rumored to be a possible trade chip. Several teams called the Cardinals on Hopkins at the deadline. Ramsey, however, has been a dependable piece in L.A. His exit would leave the Rams vulnerable at corner, considering they have rotated low-cost pieces around Ramsey at the position for years.

A Ramsey trade before June 1 is not especially palatable for the Rams, who are again projected to enter the offseason over the cap. Dealing the All-Pro talent after that date, however, would save the team $17MM. The Rams having not restructured Ramsey’s deal makes a trade something to monitor, The Athletic’s Jourdan Rodrigue notes (subscription required). Here is the latest from the NFC West:

  • This season’s Rams staff did not particularly appeal to Sean McVay by season’s end, Peter King of NBC Sports notes. Upon returning, McVay is expected to make staff changes. This may have been behind the Rams’ call to allow their position coaches to interview for other jobs without the threat of blocking the meeting. Whatever the reason, the Rams’ staff should look different in 2023. McVay also likely has a bit of regret of not taking a major TV job last year, per King, who adds no top-level gig was on the table for the six-year Rams HC this year.
  • The Rams will attempt to extend one of their UFA-to-be D-line starters (A’Shawn Robinson and Greg Gaines), Rodrigue adds, but probably will not keep both. A former sixth-round pick who has started for the past two seasons, Gaines appears likelier — per Rodrigue — to be the team’s higher priority. Robinson’s expected market value could price out the Rams, who have Aaron Donald making a cool $10MM more than any other interior D-lineman.
  • Jamal Adams, who suffered a torn quad tendon in Week 1, remains without a timetable, Pete Carroll said this week. Jordyn Brooks‘ ACL surgery is scheduled for Friday. The late-season ACL tear will make top Seahawks tackler a candidate to begin next season on the PUP list. Surgery could be in the cards for tight end Will Dissly, but he will first attempt to rehab his knee injury without a procedure (Twitter links via the Seattle Times’ Bob Condotta).
  • Despite issues in the first season under DC Clint Hurtt, the Seahawks are planning neither staff changes nor a move back to a 4-3 defense, Carroll said. Seattle, which brought in Hurtt and ex-Bears DC Sean Desai to install a Vic Fangio-style scheme, finished outside the top 20 in yards, points and DVOA this season.
  • The second-team All-Pro nod 49ers special-teamer George Odum received will increase his 2023 base salary by $250K, Field Yates of ESPN.com tweets. Odum, who signed with the 49ers in 2022 after a Colts tenure, will also collect a $250K incentive for the All-Pro nod. Odum led the league with 21 special teams tackles. Attached to a three-year deal worth $5.7MM, Odum has become one of the NFL’s best special-teamers. He earned first-team All-Pro acclaim in 2020.

Minor NFL Transactions: 11/26/22

November 26th, 2022 at 4:49pm CST by Ely Allen

The league’s minor moves and standard gameday elevations for Week 12:

Arizona Cardinals

Atlanta Falcons

Baltimore Ravens

Carolina Panthers

Chicago Bears

Cincinnati Bengals

Cleveland Browns

Denver Broncos

Green Bay Packers

Houston Texans

Kansas City Chiefs

Las Vegas Raiders

Los Angeles Chargers

Los Angeles Rams

New York Jets

San Francisco 49ers

Seattle Seahawks

Tennessee Titans

Washington Commanders

Injury Updates: Williams, Toney, Robinson

November 25th, 2022 at 10:04pm CST by Ely Allen

Injuries continue to plague wide receiver Mike Williams and the Chargers this 2022 season. After making his way back from a three-week absence, during which he missed two games, Williams left the team’s loss to the Chiefs last week after only six offensive snaps. The setback that took him out early in last week’s game will now officially keep him out for another game as Los Angeles has ruled him out for this week’s matchup against the Cardinals.

In Williams’ absence, the team will likely go with the same wide receiver mixture they did when he left last week. Keenan Allen will lead the receiving corps alongside Josh Palmer and DeAndre Carter while also getting some reserve snaps from Michael Bandy.

It was originally expected that Williams would miss four games, after the initial diagnosis of his high ankle sprain. Counting last week as an absence, this week will be his fourth missed game, hopefully giving him the rest he needs to help the Chargers make a playoff push.

Here are a few other injury updates from around the league, starting with another injured wide receiver in the AFC West:

  • Second-year receiver Kadarius Toney has been ruled out for this week’s matchup against the Rams. Toney suffered a hamstring injury in the first half of the team’s win over the Chargers last week. The former first-round pick missed seven games over his rookie season with the Giants, missing five more games due to a Week 2 injury this season before his eventual trade to the Chiefs. This will be Toney’s first missed game as a Chief, a trend that Kansas City fans will hope ends here. The good news is that the team expects JuJu Smith-Schuster to return from a concussion that held him out of last week’s game. Smith-Schuster should start alongside Marquez Valdes-Scantling with Justin Watson and Skyy Moore providing off the bench.
  • Rams starting defensive lineman A’Shawn Robinson will miss the rest of the season after suffering a torn meniscus, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. The stout run-defender had really found a home on the Rams’ line alongside Greg Gaines and Aaron Donald but Los Angeles will need to figure things out without him for the rest of the year. Marquise Copeland‘s name was called last week when Robinson left the game in New Orleans. Michael Hoecht is usually the next name off the bench while Bobby Brown III and Jonah Williams each rotate in for short periods, as well. Copeland is expected to take on Robinson’s role for the remainder of the season, though.

A’Shawn Robinson To Undergo Knee Surgery

August 26th, 2021 at 5:32pm CST by Sam Robinson

After missing the first half of the 2020 season, A’Shawn Robinson may not start the 2021 slate on time. The Rams defensive lineman is set to miss time because of a knee surgery, Sean McVay said Thursday.

While McVay categorized this as a minor procedure, Robinson is expected to miss a few weeks. With barely two weeks remaining until the Rams’ opener, the prospect of the team needing to make an adjustment to its defensive starting lineup now enters the equation.

A backup on last season’s Rams squad, Robinson is expected to replace Michael Brockers at defensive end in this year’s Los Angeles lineup. Robinson played just 111 snaps last season, one in which he missed eight games. The sides worked out an agreement that prompted Robinson to avoid opting out due to a respiratory issue, but the former Lions starter played a minimal role upon return. The former second-round pick, however, has 37 career starts and stands to be a bigger part of this year’s Rams defense.

Los Angeles is quite light on experience behind Robinson. Among its top five backup defensive end candidates, only one — Marquise Copeland — has played an NFL game. And Copleland suited up for just one contest as a rookie. The Rams have Bobby Brown III and Earnest Brown IV as options, though both are rookies whom the team drafted on Day 3. Second-year UDFA Eric Banks did not see any action last season. Should Robinson need more recovery time, it will be interesting to see who the Rams choose to start alongside Aaron Donald and nose tackle Sebastian Joseph-Day in Week 1.

Rams Activate DT A’Shawn Robinson

October 31st, 2020 at 8:44am CST by Ben Levine

Defensive tackle A’Shawn Robinson could finally make his debut for the Rams this weekend. The team announced that they’ve activated the veteran to the 53-man roster.

Robinson joined the Rams this past offseason on a two-year, $17MM deal. As Mark Inabinett of AL.com explains, the 25-year-old had previously dealt with a “respiratory situation,” qualifying him as a medical opt-out amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Under that plan, Robinson could have earned $350K for the 2020 season and had his contract officially set to begin in 2021.

Instead, Robinson and the Rams agreed to a reworked deal that saw Robinson start the season on the reserve/NFI list. While the start of his two-year deal was still delayed until the 2021 campaign, Robinson will instead play the 2020 season under a deal that’s based on bonuses.

While the Rams defensive line grouping is set with Michael Brockers, Aaron Donald and Sebastian Joseph as starters, Robinson will provide the team with another depth piece (alongside Morgan Fox and Greg Gaines). Coach Sean McVay told reporters that if Robinson doesn’t play this weekend against the Dolphins, he’ll definitely return following the team’s Week 9 bye.

The 2016 second-rounder had spent the first four seasons of his career with the Lions. After starting all 16 games during the 2017 season, Robinson was limited to only 26 games (16 starts) between the 2018 and 2019 campaigns. Still, he combined for 89 tackles, 2.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles.

Rams Make Roster Cuts

September 5th, 2020 at 2:59pm CST by Andrew Ortenberg

The Rams are one-upping everyone else, making a slew of roster cuts to get down to *52* players, as Adam Schefter passes along on Twitter. Presumably they’re planning on making another move imminently and not starting the year with one less player than everyone else.

Los Angeles had already made a bunch of cuts, so it’s a smaller group getting the axe now:

Deayon and Johnston have both been featured prominently on HBO’s ‘Hard Knocks’ during camp, so there will surely be some fans bummed about those cuts. Both are good bets to be back on the practice squad since Johnston was a draft pick and Deayon was on the active roster at times last year.

Perkins had plenty of electrifying moments as Virginia’s quarterback, but the UDFA apparently wasn’t ready to make it as an NFL passer. Howard and Robinson aren’t getting cut but are rather being put on IR and the non-football injury list respectively. Howard, who was supposed to play a big role on defense, will be out for the season while Robinson will have to miss at least the first six games.

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