Getty Wide receiver Demarcus Robinson with the Kansas City Chiefs on January 2, 2022.
Since leaving the Kansas City Chiefs organization during free agency, things have not gone as planned for wide receiver Demarcus Robinson.
The six-year veteran of the Chiefs initially signed with the division-rival Las Vegas Raiders, but he didn’t last long and was released during the first round of roster cuts on August 16. Now it appears Robinson has been gifted a second chance in 2022.
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D-Rob Joins the Ravens
According to NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport and Katz Bros Sports agency, “the [Baltimore] Ravens are expected to sign free agent WR Demarcus Robinson” after meeting today and agreeing “in principle.”
The #Ravens are expected to sign free agent WR Demarcus Robinson, per @KatzBrosSports. A new target for Lamar Jackson and a fresh start for Robinson, who met with Baltimore today and has agreed in principle.
Rapoport added that the ex-Chief will serve as “a new target for Lamar Jackson,” who is generally one of Patrick Mahomes’ greatest AFC rivals at quarterback. When healthy and at the top of his game, the Ravens signal-caller has won an MVP and posed a threat to KC in the postseason.
As for Robinson, the former fourth-round pick should have a better chance of earning snaps in Baltimore. According to “NFL Stats” on Twitter, no team is paying less money on their wide receivers than the Ravens at a minuscule $11 million total (before this signing).
For comparison, the New York Giants are currently spending $42 million on the position — which leads the NFL. Of course, the Ravens WR corps does include a ton of young talent. The headliners are recent draft picks like Rashod Bateman, Devin Duvernay, James Proche II, and Tylan Wallace.
Upon his arrival, Robinson should become an immediate veteran presence as the elder statesman at the position — and it’s not even close, by the way. The Chiefs are not scheduled to face the Ravens in 2022, but it wouldn’t be surprising if the two AFC franchises met in the playoffs.
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Chiefs Banged up Heading Into Preseason Week 2
Kansas City has picked up a few injuries this week as they closed out camp and began prepping for their second preseason outing against the newly-branded Washington Commanders.
Mecole Hardman was the latest injury at wide receiver — following Justyn Ross and JuJu Smith-Schuster before him. Head coach Andy Reid told reporters that it’s possible the speedster plays on August 20 after a “groin spasm” forced him to leave practice early.
Andy Reid said its possible Mecole Hardman and Chris Jones could play Saturday against Commanders
Defensive tackle Chris Jones appears to have the same designation as he deals with back soreness.
Smith-Schuster, on the other hand, is unlikely to suit up according to Big Red, despite telling fans that his knee is “getting better.” Veteran backup Chad Henne is also scheduled to get the game off, meaning Mahomes and third-stringer Shane Buechele are expected to split the snaps under center.
Reid said starters would play as much as first half on Saturday. Backup QB Chad Henne will get the day off, so Chiefs will go from Mahomes to Buechele
That means a few wide receivers that are on the bubble could gain several key opportunities with Mahomes and the first-team offense — considering the injuries. Players like Justin Watson, Daurice Fountain, Cornell Powell, Josh Gordon, Corey Coleman, Aaron Parker and RB-hybrid Jerrion Ealy should all be in the mix with five more roster cuts looming on August 23.
Watson and Fountain appear to have a leg up on the competition due to their dual ability as core special teamers. For a struggling vet like Gordon or a lesser-known name like Parker, Saturday could be the final opportunity to flip the script.