It took a few weeks, but eventually, Demarcus Robinson cracked the Los Angeles Rams starting lineup. Ever since then, he hasn’t looked back. In almost perfect succession from his first week as a starter in Week 12, till Week 17 his usage (and stats) went up, culminating in one of the best games of his career against the New York Giants; 10 targets, six receptions, and 92 yards.
The Rams re-signed Robinson this offseason to yet another one-year contract. With Rams training camp underway, all signs point toward Robinson picking up where he left off last year.
Demarcus Robinson Picking Up Where He Left Off With The Los Angeles Rams
“Now that he’s gotten more and more comfortable in the system,” Rams offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur said, “being here for over a year now, getting more comfortable with Matthew Stafford has been big for him.”
The Rams have always been looking for the perfect complement to their top two receivers, whether that is Cooper Kupp and Robert Woods or now Kupp and Puka Nacua. Last year a few misfires were attempting to find the third guy. Both Van Jefferson and Tutu Atwell were used in the front half of the season, but it was Robinson that ultimately prevailed, and proved to fit well with the evolving Rams offense.
“Obviously from a physical standpoint, [Robinson’s] got a unique separation ability to him.” LaFleur said, “Receivers, they separate in all shapes and sizes. He’s got good length and all that, but he’s got a wiggle to him. It’s a tough cover.”
There’s the on-the-field, tangible football skills, but when LaFleur was asked what truly set Robinson apart, LaFleur was direct and unequivocal;
“Energy, energy. A lot of guys have great energy. His is so authentic.”
Robinson finished the season with 26 catches on 39 targets, going for 371 yards and four touchdowns in essentially six games. Of his 26 catches 20 of them went for first downs. He also ran the ball once for 23 yards. In the Rams playoff loss against the Detroit Lions, he caught three passes for 44 yards.
