Laurent Robinson To The Rams

The Falcons traded third year WR Laurent Robinson to the Rams today and in return they switched their draft positions in the 5th and 6th rounds. This was a huge move for the Rams as they continue to provide QB Marc Bulger with receiving options along side second year WR Donnie Avery. Laurent Robinson is a very talented young receiver who has a great size/speed combo. At 6'2" he clocked a 4.38 in the 40 yard dash in the 2007 NFL combine and was then selected in the third round by the Falcons that year. In his rookie year, he managed to gain 437 yards off 37 receptions after appearing in 15 games, and only starting 6 of them, for the anemic 2007 Falcons offense which featured 3 different starting quarterbacks. It is quite an achievement for any rookie to put up those numbers in only 6 starts, especially on an offense that was as bad as the Falcons two years ago. Unfortunately, he was buried in the depth chart last year due to a lingering hamstring injury, WR Michael Jenkins' career resurrection, and head coach Mike Smith favoring his draft pick WR Harry Douglas over him.

With Robinson going into that magical third year where receivers normally break out, and on a team where he will undoubtedly be a starter, and maybe even the first receiving option, I expect him to be a fantasy sleeper. A few pieces will have to come into place for the Rams offense this year though for Robinson to have a productive year though. Bulger struggled last year with rookie receiver Donnie Avery as his top option and an offensive line that offered no protection for him. The Rams are expected to draft either LT Jason Smith or LT Eugue Monroe second overall in this years draft to give Bulger the protection he needs to be the effective quarterback that he is. This selection will also help out RB Steven Jackosn put up his typical big numbers to help support the passing game too. Not to mention the signing of the elite interior lineman Jason Brown will also only help this offense get back to where they used to be a few years ago. It seems that all of the pieces are being put in the right places to allow for Robinson to continue from his 2007 success and be a legit fantasy contributor for the 2009 season.