Allen Robinson’s ‘productive progress’ in the Rams offense impressed Matthew Stafford

Can Allen Robinson return to his best at the LA Rams?

Allen Robinson is fresh off his poorest NFL season, battling injuries in an unproductive Chicago offense. The wideout joined the Super Bowl winners Los Angeles Rams this summer and is now expected to play a key role with Cooper Kupp. Robinson’s athletic chance to dominate at the catch-point is obvious. But during offseason training, Matthew Stafford was as pleased by the receiver’s cerebral sharpness.

“I’ve been really, very pleased with his ability to comprehend our playbook, his position in our scheme,” the Rams quarterback told the team’s official site earlier this month. “His knowledge, even when he may miss something or make a mistake. It is so clear as to why he did something. He saw it and believed that, and I’m thinking, ‘That’s a fantastic notion.’ It’s been a great year for him again in our offence.”

Stafford hasn’t been able to create any on-field rapport with Robinson yet due to not tossing even during spring sessions while rehabilitating a chronic elbow ailment, but having mental reps at this juncture in their careers remains helpful.

Robinson recorded his fewest catches, receiving yards, and touchdown passes in a year inside which he participated in multiple games in his career in his final year in Chicago (38 rec, 410 rec yds, 1 rec TD in 2021).

He was one of the finest receivers in the league the two previous seasons, averaging 6.3 receptions per game, 74.9 yards per game, and 13 receiving touchdowns. The Rams believe the 28-year-old will regain his form.

“I believe his route tree is significantly extended from certainly years past, and perhaps what we’ve seen our previous receivers do,” said Liam Coen, the Rams’ first-year offensive coordinator. “I mean, he could pass a lot of patterns that Cooper can, you know — some of those choice routes and choice routes and stuff we asked Cooper to do — because he just has an incredible capacity to play below, himself.”

In 2021, the Rams utilized 11 personnel (1 RB, 1 TE) on 83.4 percent of their plays, the most in the NFL. L.A. expects Robinson and No. 3 receiver Van Jefferson to play a critical role as Stafford’s offense evolves in his second season.