Dolphins will work out Laurent Robinson
Soon after Miami Dolphins beat writer Armando Salguero tweeted that the Dolphins would look at the free agent market for wide receivers, the National Football Post’s Aaron Wilson reports that the Miami Dolphins will work out free agent wide receiver Laurent Robinson, who is earning looks from several teams. Robinson has already worked out with two other AFC East teams recently in the New England Patriots and New York Jets, and the Dolphins are now among several teams on the market for wide receiver depth following some bad luck with the injury bug. No. 5 receiver Rishard Matthews is out for “several weeks” with an undisclosed injury, while No. 4 receiver and breakout candidate Armon Binns tore his ACL and is out for the season.
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Laurent Robinson (81) on the sidelines against the Houston Texans in overtime at Reliant Stadium. The Texans defeated the Jaguars 43-37. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Although the Dolphins are set from 1-3 on the wide receiver depth chart after a very active offseason, the Dolphins aren’t satisfied with their depth going forward after losing Binns to injury. That probably isn’t a vote of confidence for second-year receivers Jeff Fuller and Marvin McNutt, whose chances of making the final roster would greatly increase if the Dolphins decide against signing Robinson or another free agent receiver. Both Fuller and McNutt were competing with Matthews for the fifth receiver gig, and the injury to Binns would have put them in line to fight for the fifth receiver gig with each other and also get more reps with Matthews out.
Laurent Robinson is a high upside receiver who has plenty of talent, and he showed that in one season with the Dallas Cowboys. But he is very injury-prone and had four concussions last season with the Jacksonville Jaguars, so that’s a big issue with Robinson. However, Robinson wants to play and has declared himself a full go, and he would only be signed for the veteran minimum. It seems like a worthy risk for a guy who would slot in as the fourth guy on the depth chart, and he looks like a better fit for the Dolphins than the other free agent wideouts on the market. But still, one has to wonder if the recent rash of injuries to Dolphins receivers will make this team more wary of signing an injury-prone player, because it seems like stability at the back end of the depth chart would mean more for the Dolphins.
All this interest in Laurent Robinson has to mean one thing, though, and that is that Robinson won’t be finding himself without a job any longer. With the way the Patriots rookie receivers have performed in camp, it seems like there is more of a chance that ends up with the Jets and Dolphins (with the way the Jets receivers have played and Santonio Holmes’s injury has healed, my money is still on the Jets right now).