Demarcus

Robinson

Robinson kept his No. 3 role over a returning Jordan Whittington, but it didn’t amount to much behind target dominators Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp. The Rams’ coaching staff loves Robinson’s veteran savvy, while he should continue to pop up for the occasional interesting statline. The problem there is the “occasional.” It isn’t worth trying to predict when Robinson might go off ahead of a tough Week 12 date with the Eagles.

Robinson continued to operate as the third option through the air on a night quarterback Matthew Stafford attempted a robust 46 passes. Even so, the two were not on the same page on this night, hooking up just once for a 23-yard gain in the fourth quarter. All of Puka Nacua, Cooper Kupp, Kyren Williams, and backup tight end Davis Allen saw more targets than the veteran receiver, highlighting the current role for Robinson moving forward.

Robinson has scored five touchdowns over his last four games, somewhat inflating his fantasy-scoring potential; he is averaging just 1.23 yards per route run during that span, which more accurately reflects his expected weekly productivity. That said, a capable player in a high-end passing offense remains WR3/4-viable, particularly with four teams on bye.

Robinson scored twice for the second week in a row. He put together a far more complete box score this time around after going for just 35 yards (plus the pair of touchdowns) on two grabs last week. Robinson’s uptick in target volume came as the result of Puka Nacua getting ejected for throwing a punch late in the first half of this game. His first score was an easy grab from one yard out. His second score was a game-winner in overtime. Robinson reeled in the 39-yard strike from Matthew Stafford with one hand while winning a hand fight with the other. Robinson’s role will fade with Nacua not likely to miss half of Week 10 because of an ejection, but his touchdown potential will keep him on the WR5/6 periphery versus Miami.

Eerily quiet all year as the Rams hunted for production without Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua in the lineup, Robinson naturally doubled his season touchdown total upon their returns. It’s not terribly surprising that Robinson sees better looks with his star teammates back in the lineup, but he’s certainly not going to see more looks. He will be difficult to get into the top 60 for Week 9 against the Seahawks.

Robinson seemed to be more of the deep option for Matthew Stafford and was targeted just three times on the day. He was the starting X-receiver, but Tutu Atwell and Jordan Whittington seem to have overtaken him in terms of opportunities. Tyler Johnson has also been overtaken by those two, not catching his only target of the day. Robinson is best left on fantasy benches for Week 5 against the Packers.

The Rams’ X-receiver was disappointingly held in check, though he did what he could with the ball in his hands, notching one missed tackle forced and 10 yards after the catch. Had he secured his 34-yard gain on “the Tutu Train” trick play before stepping out of bounds, he would have at least hit his expected fantasy-scoring floor. He is a shaky flex play against the Bears in Week 4.

Robinson’s highlight of the day came on the receiving end of a Matthew Stafford scramble for a 42-yard gain. He also notably saw an end zone target when Cooper Kupp exited the game with an ankle injury. With both Kupp and Puka Nacua out, the Rams’ pass-catching corps is depleted and Robinson as the veteran of the group will need to step up. Expect an uptick in targets to secondary receivers, starting with Robinson, if Kupp is out for Week 3 as well. Robinson will be an upside flex play if that is the case.

Nacua suffered a PCL injury in the Rams’ Week 1 loss to the Lions and has since been placed on injured reserve, sidelining him for at least four games. Sean McVay initially believed Nacua could miss just the minimum of four games. Now, according to Schefter, the Rams are likely to be more cautious with his return. Nacua will be eligible to return in Week 6 versus the Raiders after LA’s bye week. However, that looks unlikely and so does the following week. The Rams face the Vikings on Thursday, giving them a short turnaround for Week 7. A Week 8 date with the Seahawks looks like the earlier possible date for Nacua to get back on the field. Cooper Kupp will be loaded with targets until then. Demarcus Robinson and Tyler Johnson round out the team’s three-receiver rotation.

Robinson made good on his status as the clear third option in head coach Sean McVay’s 11-personnel-heavy offense, playing almost every down en route to seven targets. Of note, Puka Nacua left the game early in the second quarter after aggravating a knee injury that had him on the injury report leading up to the game, potentially vaulting Robinson into a secondary role should Nacua miss any time moving forward.