Demarcus Robinson - Pro Football Rumors

Raiders Rumors: Offensive Line, WRs, Jacobs

July 18th, 2022 at 6:09pm CST by Ely Allen

We recently wrote about the unlikelihood that any rookies will be starting for the Raiders to start the 2022 NFL season. The player we gave the best odds of earning a starting role is maybe even better set up for taking the job than we thought, according to Vic Tafur and Tashan Reed at The Athletic. The two reported that, besides left tackle Kolton Miller and right guard Denzelle Good, the other three offensive line jobs are up for grabs.

We had given Andre James the assumption of starting at center after a successful season at the position last year. We also didn’t grant Good an automatic spot as he is recovering from a torn ACL that held him out for all but 18 snaps of last season. But Tafur and Reed assert that rookie third-round pick Dylan Parham “could push John Simpson at left guard and (James) at center.”

They also believe that Alex Leatherwood doesn’t quite have the right tackle job in the bag. He’s being pushed by Brandon Parker, who started 13 games at the position last year, while Leatherwood occupied a guard spot.

Here are a few more rumors from Sin City:

The addition of star wide receiver Davante Adams provides an obvious No. 1 weapon for quarterback Derek Carr. Carr will have Hunter Renfrow and Darren Waller to target in the slot and at tight end, respectively, but who will be out wide opposite Adams? That role will be a battle between free agent additions Mack Hollins, Keelan Cole, and Demarcus Robinson. According to Tafur and Reed, the former Dolphins wide receiver, Hollins, should be considered the favorite. Though he hasn’t quite shown the necessary production (his best season came last year with 14 catches for 223 yards and 4 touchdowns), Hollins has a large, 6’4″ frame and speed that can make him an effective weapon while defenses focus on Adams, Waller, and Renfrow. Cole has shown more consistent production during tenures in Jacksonville and New York, as has Robinson in Kansas City, but neither quite has the physical tools that Hollins displays. If Hollins can take the next step and make the most of his abilities, Cole and Robinson can be strong assets off the bench behind a starting three of Adams, Renfrow, and Hollins.
Las Vegas didn’t pick up the fifth-year option on running back Josh Jacobs rookie contract this offseason as a result of some of the injury trouble he’s experienced in the NFL. In total, Jacobs has only missed six games throughout his three years of play, but his struggle to stay healthy has limited him in many other games. Due to health, Tafur and Reed see this as Jacobs’ last year on the team. Their opinion is also backed by the draft addition of Georgia running back Zamir White, once considered the top recruit at his position in high school. While the team won’t put too much on White as a rookie, The Athletic guesses that the Raiders will utilize a running back by committee approach. Vegas will lean on Jacobs to lead, as the most talented, while attempting to bring White along and up to NFL-speed. Career third-down back Brandon Bolden and backup Kenyan Drake will continue their usual roles as the Raiders allegedly groom White to start.

Raiders Sign WR Demarcus Robinson

March 22nd, 2022 at 5:27pm CST by Ben Levine

Demarcus Robinson has found a new home. The former Chiefs receiver is signing with the Raiders, reports ESPN’s Adam Schefter (via Twitter).

The wideout is inking a one-year deal with Las Vegas, per Schefter. We heard earlier today that Robinson was set to meet with the Raiders.

The 27-year-old wideout had spent his entire six-year career in Kansas City. He started 42 of 97 games during that span, including a 2020 campaign where he operated as a secondary piece in the Chiefs offense and finished with 45 catches for 466 yards and three touchdowns. However, the veteran has also had seasons like 2021, when he had a reduced role on offense and finished with only 264 receiving yards.

The writing seemed to be on the wall for Robinson’s future in Kansas City when the Chiefs added JuJu Smith-Schuster to a depth chart that already included Tyreek Hill and Mecole Hardman (not to mention Travis Kelce).

So, the receiver is off to Las Vegas. Robinson is the second post-worthy addition to the Raiders’ WR room this offseason. Having already traded for Davante Adams, the team also has reliable slot man Hunter Renfrow and tight end Darren Waller in the fold. Just like in Kansas City, Robinson will likely continue to rank third or fourth in terms of targets, although he should have a firm grasp of that spot on the depth chart.

Demarcus Robinson To Visit Raiders

March 22nd, 2022 at 9:56am CST by Adam La Rose

After the Chiefs added a new receiver in JuJu Smith-Schuster, they may be close to losing another. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports (on Twitter) that Demarcus Robinson is meeting with the Raiders.

Robinson, 27, has spent his entire six-year career in Kansas City. He started 42 of 97 games during that span, as his playing time fluctuated over the years. After reaching a peak snap percentage of 70% in 2019, his playing time has dropped for two straight years. The former fourth rounder has yet to miss a game in his NFL career.

Robinson’s best statistical season came in 2020. He posted 45 catches for 466 yards and three touchdowns in that campaign, operating as always as a secondary piece in the Chiefs’ passing offense. Overshadowed by Travis Kelce and Tyreek Hill, he has been in competition with the likes of Mecole Hardman for targets, but averaged just over 45 per season in the five years in which he has been involved in the offense.

If he were to land in Vegas, Robinson would of course mark the second significant addition to the Raiders’ WR room. Having already traded for Davante Adams, the team also has reliable slot man Hunter Renfrow and tight end Darren Waller in the fold. Robinson would therefore likely continue to rank third or fourth in terms of targets amongst pass catchers. Much of his role in Kansas City, meanwhile, would go to the more accomplished Smith-Schuster.

Chiefs Re-Sign Demarcus Robinson

March 25th, 2021 at 1:47pm CST by Zachary Links

The Chiefs have re-signed Demarcus Robinson, according to his agent (Twitter link via NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport). The wide receiver will return to Kansas City on a one-year deal. Financial terms of the deal are not yet known. Last time around, Robinson re-signed with the Chiefs for fully guaranteed $2.297MM that counted for just $1MM against the cap, per the veteran salary benefit.

Splitting WR3 duties with Mecole Hardman, Robinson finished the regular season with 45 grabs for 466 yards and three touchdowns. Now, he seems primed for a larger role with Sammy Watkins exploring other opportunities in free agency. His return gives the Chiefs a core group headlined by Tyreek Hill, Robinson, Hardman, and Byron Pringle.

The Chiefs did lots of shopping before circling back to Robinson. Just last week, they submitted the highest bid for JuJu Smith-Schuster, who ultimately re-signed with the Steelers for less money. T.Y. Hilton and Josh Reynolds were also among the names on their radar.

Chiefs’ Demarcus Robinson Cleared To Practice

February 5th, 2021 at 10:13am CST by Zachary Links

Demarcus Robinson is on track to play in the Super Bowl. The wide receiver was cleared to practice on Friday, ending his stint on the Reserve/COVID-19 list (Twitter link via NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero).

Robinson came in close contact with a barber who tested positive for the coronavirus. The timing was unfortunate but, thankfully, Robinson has tested negative every day since then. Barring any changes, he’ll be eligible to take the field in Super Bowl LV.

The Chiefs are still awaiting the final go-ahead for reserve center Daniel Kilgore, who also received a haircut from the same barber. Kilgore got his trim one day after Robinson, so he’ll need an extra day of zero positives before rejoining the team. If Kilgore’s final test comes back negative, he’ll be able to regroup with the Chiefs on Saturday — just in time for the big game.

Robinson, who splits WR3 duties with Mecole Hardman, finished the regular season with 45 grabs for 466 yards and three touchdowns. Kilgore, meanwhile, hasn’t seen as much time on the field, but the Chiefs will be counting on him for depth in the wake of several offensive line injuries.

Latest On Chiefs’ Demarcus Robinson, Daniel Kilgore

February 4th, 2021 at 11:19am CST by Zachary Links

Good news for the Chiefs. Wide receiver Demarcus Robinson and center Daniel Kilgore have tested negative every day since their close contact situation last week, according to NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero (on Twitter). Barring any changes, Robinson will be able to rejoin the team on Friday. Kilgore, who needs an extra day to clear, is on track to reunite with his teammates on Saturday.

Both players received haircuts last weekend from a barber who tested positive, putting their Super Bowl status in jeopardy. Losing Robinson would have been especially tough for the Chiefs. This year, he ranked third in receptions behind only Travis Kelce and Tyreek Hill. In total, he turned in a 45/466/3 stat line, marking the best season of his career to date. He should be set to share No. 3 WR duties with Mecole Hardman, giving the Bucs’ secondary yet another headache to manage.

Kilgore, 33, suited up in seven games for the Chiefs this year and started only four times. But, with right tackle Mitchell Schwartz on the shelf, the offensive line is being reshuffled, so the Chiefs need him more than ever. By the skin of his teeth, Kilgore is expected to get the green light for Sunday.

No New COVID Cases For Chiefs, Bucs

February 3rd, 2021 at 10:16am CST by Zachary Links

The latest round of testing revealed no new COVID-19 positives for players on the Chiefs or Buccaneers, as NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport tweets. Barring any hitches, both teams should be set for Super Bowl LV on Sunday.

The Chiefs were forced to place two players — center Daniel Kilgore and wide receiver Demarcus Robinson — on the COVID-19/reserve list earlier this week. Fortunately, neither player has tested positive, though they were in close contact with a barber who tested positive for the coronavirus.

Close-contact situations require only a five-day clearance, so both players should be able to suit up if they continue to test negative. Kilgore has mostly been a reserve for Kansas City this season, but he’s a valuable backup, having started 13 games for the Dolphins last year. Also, the Chiefs will likely be without the services of right tackle Mitchell Schwartz, so they’ll want Kilgore at the ready. Robinson plays a large role, so the Chiefs don’t want to lose him either. Robinson appeared in all 16 regular season games this year, racking up 45 catches for 466 yards and three touchdowns.

Chiefs Place Daniel Kilgore, Demarcus Robinson On Reserve/COVID-19 List

February 1st, 2021 at 3:44pm CST by Andrew Ortenberg

It’s far from a worst-case scenario, but COVID-19 issues are beginning to creep into the Super Bowl. The Chiefs have placed center Daniel Kilgore and receiver Demarcus Robinson on the reserve/COVID-19 list, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets.

The good news is that Schefter reports both are going on the list due to close contacts, and not positive tests. There’s only a five-day clearance period needed for close contacts, so if both players continue to test negative they’ll be able to rejoin the team this weekend before the game and suit up for Super Bowl LV. Kilgore started 13 games for the Dolphins last year, but he’s mostly been a reserve for Kansas City this season.

He’s appeared in seven games with four starts, although he hasn’t been counted on to start in the playoffs yet. Robinson plays a pretty large role, so the Chiefs certainly don’t want to lose him. He finished the regular season appearing in all 16 games with nine starts, racking up 45 catches for 466 yards and three touchdowns.

He only has three targets through Kansas City’s first two playoff games, but he played at least 65 percent of the offensive snaps in both of those games. We’ve got a long week left to go, but hopefully these are the only COVID-related issues that arise before the big game (knock on wood).

Chiefs To Re-Sign WR Demarcus Robinson

March 28th, 2020 at 1:55pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Chiefs are making a move to keep their deep receiving corps intact. They are bringing back Demarcus Robinson on a one-year deal, Tom Pelissero of NFL.com tweets.

A four-year veteran, Robinson hit the market as a UFA. But the majority of the wideouts who entered free agency did not find significant demand for their services, with the upcoming draft class playing into this team-friendly marketplace.

Robinson’s deal is worth a fully guaranteed $2.297MM but, due to the new CBA’s veteran salary benefit, will count only $1MM against the Chiefs’ cap, Pelissero adds (via Twitter). Teams can sign two vested veterans via this method each year.

After a report linked the Eagles to being in the mix for the longtime Chiefs auxiliary wideout, not much known interest came Robinson’s way during free agency. He now will return to Kansas City, rejoining a Chiefs receiving corps that still includes Tyreek Hill, Mecole Hardman and Sammy Watkins. The latter has been a long-rumored cap casualty but remains on the team.

Robinson, 25, turned in his best season during the Chiefs’ first Super Bowl campaign in 50 years. He established career-high marks in catches (32) and receiving yards (449), hauling in four touchdowns. Since Patrick Mahomes took over as Kansas City’s starter, Robinson has totaled eight TD receptions. In Week 2 of last season, Robinson torched the Raiders for 172 yards and two scores.

The Chiefs entered Saturday with the NFL’s least cap space, so this Robinson pact will almost certainly be a low-cost agreement. It stands to allow the former fourth-round pick to return to one of the friendliest receiver environments in recent memory and potentially elevate his stock for a 2021 free agency run.

The ex-Florida Gator coming back also provides insurance in case the Chiefs do part ways with Watkins, who is the NFL’s 11th-highest-paid wideout but at best the third option on his own team. Watkins is set to make a non-guaranteed $13.75MM base salary next season and count a seemingly untenable $21MM against Kansas City’s cap.

Eagles Eyeing Demarcus Robinson

February 8th, 2020 at 2:18pm CST by Sam Robinson

After letting some of their regulars walk in free agency last year, the Chiefs have more auxiliary performers set to hit the market in March. A historic payment to Patrick Mahomes and a possible Chris Jones franchise tag will force the Super Bowl champions to prioritize come free agency.

Kendall Fuller, Emmanuel Ogbah, Bashaud Breeland and Demarcus Robinson are among Kansas City’s notable non-Jones UFAs. Robinson appears to have a suitor with a greater receiver need than the Chiefs, who still have Tyreek Hill, Sammy Watkins and Mecole Hardman under contract.

The Eagles are interested in the four-year veteran wideout, Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer notes. They brought Robinson in for one of their 2016 pre-draft visits, but the Florida prospect went to the Chiefs in that year’s fourth round. Considering the Chiefs’ front-burner issues, Robinson’s second contract looks likely to come from another team.

During Hill’s injury-related absence early in the season, Robinson became a key Mahomes target. Although the 25-year-old receiver caught 32 passes for a career-high 449 yards, he delivered his most notable audition during a six-reception, 172-yard, two-touchdown day in Oakland. During Mahomes’ two years as the Chiefs’ starter, Robinson totaled 54 catches and eight touchdowns.

After injuries to DeSean Jackson, Alshon Jeffery and Nelson Agholor, the Eagles deployed a skeleton-crew receiving corps during the season’s stretch run. Both Jackson and Jeffery are likely to return, thanks to big 2020 guarantees. Agholor will probably depart, per McLane. The Eagles figure to be targeting wideouts in the draft as well, but it appears they will consider Robinson on a mid-level pact. Doug Pederson was already in Philadelphia by the time Robinson arrived in Kansas City, but bringing in a longtime Andy Reid weapon would be a logical fit for the ex-Chiefs OC.