The Los Angeles Rams already reunited with one defensive tackle on the 2021 Super Bowl team, is it time to trade for another? ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler named 25 players who could be traded before next month’s deadline and A’Shawn Robinson was called a good fit for the Rams. Robinson played for the Rams from 2020 to 2022, and was a beast in the 2021 playoffs en route to winning the Super Bowl.
Robinson had 22 tackles and a sack in four playoff games that year.
What Fowler is hearing: Robinson is a name that
a few teams floated to me because he’s still a productive interior player and a veteran who could help a contending team. He also wouldn’t cost much to acquire at this stage. He has played for four other teams — the Lions, Rams, Panthers and Giants — so he has coaching friends all over the league.
Fowler gave it a 30% chance that Robinson would be traded.
Analyst Matt Bowen gave Robinson a film breakdown.
What Bowen sees on tape: At 6-3 and 320 pounds, Robinson is a powerful run defender who can play as a 1-technique nose or 3-technique defensive tackle. While Robinson doesn’t provide pass-rushing upside (16 career sacks), he can push the interior of the pocket. He’s an early-down defender who could help out a defensive line rotation. He even has two interceptions this season!
ESPN cite the Rams, Ravens, and Giants as good fits for Robinson.
Robinson has spent the last two seasons with the Carolina Panthers, playing for former Rams assistant coach Ejiro Evero. He’s 31 and has only missed one game in the past four years.
This season is his first with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Robinson has 20 tackles with a sack. Tampa Bay just destroyed the Panthers and are climbing back into the NFC South race despite being 2-5. So they probably aren’t in a hurry to trade anyone. The Bucs are a top-five run defense and Robinson is an important piece in that.
It may take another two losses for Tampa Bay to talk trade, but the Rams really need someone like Robinson.
Aaron Donald is the best defensive lineman on the Rams this season, especially because Kobie Turner and Poona Ford are both injured. L.A. could use more beef on the defensive line.
ESPN’s Dan Graziano chimed on what the Rams must be thinking after seeing the Seahawks and 49ers make trades for new starters on Tuesday:
Graziano: Yeah, Tuesday was a big day in the NFC West arms race. It makes me wonder what the Rams are thinking. They obviously made their big moves in the offseason, but things haven’t worked, and everyone’s favorite superteam has fallen behind the 49ers and Seahawks in the division. I wonder whether there’s another move for the Rams to make — they could use a speedy wide receiver if one is available — and whether they still have the draft picks and/or desire to add more to a roster that was already supposed to be loaded.
Jauan Jennings was another player mentioned as a trade candidate for the Rams. The former 49ers receiver is toiling away on the Vikings and not getting any targets.
