The Cam Robinson Trade Is Great News for Vikings
Cam Robinson, a member of the Minnesota Vikings for half a season in 2024, was traded on Monday by the Houston Texans to the Cleveland Browns after Cleveland lost offensive tackle Dawand Jones to injury. And a side storyline? That’s wonderful news for folks who study the Vikings’ compensatory draft pick math.
Former Minnesota Vikings offensive tackle Cam Robinson was traded by the Texans to the Browns this week, and well, that’s sweet for the Vikings.
The Texans had buried Robinson on their depth chart, hindering plans for Minnesota to receive a notable compensatory pick. But the trade to Cleveland provides a revival.
Cam Robinson Trade Reignites Compensatory Pick Hopes for the Minnesota Vikings
It’s a complicated formula, but Minnesota could fetch a 4th- or 5th-Rounder now.
Cam Robinson Shipped to Browns
NBC Sports‘ Myles Simmons wrote Monday, “The Browns are acquiring Cam Robinson from the Texans, according to multiple reports. Robinson started the first game of the season for Houston, but was replaced by Aireontae Ersery in Week 2.”
“While he played select snaps on special teams in Week 2 and Week 3, Robinson was inactive for the Texans’ Sunday victory over the Titans. A second-round pick in 2017, Robinson played all of his first seven seasons with the Jaguars. But he was traded to Minnesota midway through the 2024 season when the club lost left tackle Christian Darrisaw to a year-ending injury.”
Houston received a 6th-Rounder while Cleveland welcomed Robinson and a 7th-Round selection.
Vikings’ Compensatory Draft Pick Math Has Signs of Life
The Texans had totally placed Robinson on the backburner after signing him to a one-year, $12 million contract in March. Why? Well, Houston used a 2nd-Round draft pick on University of Minnesota alumnus Aireontae Ersery, and he apparently outperformed Robinson at training camp and in the preseason.
With Robinson on the bench for four games in Houston, the Vikings stood to gain less from the compensatory draft pick process, perhaps a 6th- or 7th-Rounder, at best.
However, as Robinson presumably enters the starting lineup in Cleveland, the big dreams of a 4th- or 5th-Rounder in next year’s draft are back on the table. Robinson must start for most of the season from here on out, and if so, the Vikings could belly up to the table for a mid-rounder instead of a late-rounder.
The compensatory pick formula is extremely complicated, yet the overall takeaway is that more Robinson playing time is beneficial for Minnesota.
The Irony of Playing against Robinson This Weekend
Don’t forget Robinson’s opponent this week: the Vikings.
Needing an emergency plan after the aforementioned Jones fell injured, Cleveland picked a former Viking via trade who has stakes in affecting the Vikings’ compensatory pick fate. So, yes, it’s bittersweet.
Thankfully, while Robinson is a steady lineman, there’s a decent chance that Jonathan Greenard or Dallas Turner gets the best of him. Stay tuned.
The Simple Rule on Robinson
To reiterate, Robinson in a starter’s role is preferred if you’re in the business of wanting Minnesota to grab a 4th- or 5th-Round pick next April. You don’t have to cheer for the Browns, but you’ll want to cheer for Robinson’s continued inclusion in Cleveland’s starting lineup. The trade gave Minnesota new life in this regard, as Robinson was firmly on track for a nothingburger season.
It also helped that Houston traded him this soon, rather than waiting until November when Robinson’s would-be new team would already have half a season in the books.
The path has been cleared for Minnesota to restore its lofty comp pick projection pertaining to Robinson.
The Athletic’s Take on the Cam Robinson Trade
Zac Jackson and Dianna Russini at The Athletic opined on the swap: “Because the Browns didn’t draft an offensive lineman in April and their only 2024 offensive line draft pick, Zak Zinter, hasn’t played, the team has been scrambling for help for more than a month.”
“Leveston was acquired in a trade on Aug. 27 for a 2028 seventh-round pick. Cleveland signed tackle Thayer Munford off New England’s practice squad last week when Jones was placed on injured reserve, but Munford was inactive for his first game with the Browns. Robinson, who turns 30 on Oct. 9, has started 102 career games.”
Cleveland has the NFL’s third-worst offense per EPA/Play after four games.
Jackson and Russini added, “He spent seven full seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars before being traded to Minnesota before the deadline last year and finishing the season as the Vikings’ starting left tackle. The 1-3 Browns play the 2-2 Vikings Sunday in London. The Texans are sticking with second-round rookie Aireontae Ersery as their left tackle, so Robinson was expendable.”
“Robinson started the season opener for Houston and played as a backup in two other games. The Browns are responsible for the remaining $2 million in base salary from the deal Robinson had with the Texans.”
Last year, Minnesota acquired Robinson via trade in a deal centered around a 4th-Round pick.
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