Vikes Views: Do You Like the Cam Robinson Trade?

The Minnesota Vikings have traded for LT Cam Robinson from the Jacksonville Jaguars. The compensation is a 5th that could become a 4th round pick in 2016 in exchange for Cam Robinson and a 2026 7th round pick that can go away based on playing time. The hope is the Vikings are giving up a 4th to Jacksonville and the 7th goes away. That means you traded for a player that is actually being used.

Robinson isn’t going to be able to fill the shoes of Christian Darrisaw. No one the Vikings could trade for would. Darrisaw is a Top 3 LT in the game. However, Robinson is an experienced vet that plays at a better than average level. He’s had an exception last handful of games and is playing great. The Jaguars have decided they aren’t going to pay him after this season. The Jaguars are also 2-6 and 4 games behind the Texans. They aren’t likely going 8-1 to finish the season. They’re sellers of expiring contracts. They’re guaranteeing themselves the 4th or 5th round pick instead of waiting for comp picks. The Vikings will benefit from that if Robinson signs a nice contract this offseason.

So, it’s hard not to like this deal for the Vikings. They’re risking a 5th round pick, Robinson plays poorly and no comp pick in the future. The upside is a likely competent LT, keeping this year’s window open, and a 4th round pick in exchange for a 5th or 6th round comp pick. I’m not seeing much downside to it. The likelihood a 2026 4th round pick is a game changer for this team is slim.