10. Allen Robinson, Chicago Bears
Christian Hackenberg. Blake Bortles. Mitchell Trubisky.
If it sounds like the answer to a “Jeopardy!” question, that is because it is. The question: “What is the Murderer’s Row of quarterbacks Allen Robinson has played with over the past eight years?” But even with those prodigious passers slinging him the pigskin, Robinson is one of the game’s consistent performers at the position.
Watch this route from him, a simple slant against the Kansas City Chiefs:
Allen Robinson is just a pristine player. Phenomenal route-runner. Dominant at the catch point. Gets off the line of scrimmage in a flash. Has it all and in the middle of perhaps his best season.
All I want is for him to play with a great QB. Just once. pic.twitter.com/V0oaFZN2fa
— Matt Harmon (@MattHarmon_BYB) December 23, 2019
You cannot run this route better than that. He gets right on the toes of the defender, presses a leverage advantage, and then immediately crosses his face to get open. From there, Robinson extends the hands, makes the sure catch – only three drops last season – and immediately transitions from receiver to ball-carrier.
On this play against the New York Giants, he runs a deep over route from the left slot. Again, he presses a leverage advantage at the top of his vertical stem, as he drives his left foot into the turn. Notice how that gets the defender to open up his hips, allowing Robinson to then cross the defender’s face and get separation on his cut:
The explosion into and out of the break is impressive. Robinson does not lose any speed coming out of the fake, and that enables him to get and then maintain his separation on the play.
Now a post route out of the left slot. Once more, he gets the defender into a pretzel with his footwork and ability to press leverage, and explodes into and out of his break. He also makes a great adjustment to a low throw, and finishes this with a score:
Robinson is one of the game’s greats. Now about the guys on the other end of those throws…