Allen Park — A’Shawn Robinson is cashing in with the Carolina Panthers, reportedly agreeing to a three-year contract worth $22.5 million, with $10.4 million guaranteed.
Robinson spent his first four seasons with the Detroit Lions. Since then, he has played for the Los Angeles Rams and the New York Giants. Robinson will also reunite with former Rams defensive assistant and current Panthers defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero after moving to Charlotte.
Robinson was the Lions’ second-round pick from Alabama in 2016. He appeared in 58 games, starting 37 of them, and recorded five sacks and 16 tackles for loss during his career. In 2018, Pro Football Focus ranked Robinson as the 11th-best interior defender among those who played enough snaps. He was also the sixth-best run defender at his position that year, so there were always signs of potential.
However, the 28-year-old has missed many games in his last two seasons with the Lions. But he rebounded, signing with the Rams for three years, during which time he won a Super Bowl and had some of his best performances.
Robinson started 13 games in his only season in New York. He recorded a career-high 62 tackles and six tackles for loss, demonstrating his ability to stop the run. The Panthers have gained size and strength on both sides of the ball in free agency, and the 6-foot-4, 330-pounder certainly fits the bill.
The Lions have their own defensive line needs. Marcus Davenport, a former Vikings and Saints edge defender, was signed to a one-year deal. But it’s easy to envision Brad Holmes looking to strengthen their defensive lines.
DJ Reader (Bengals) is currently the top name in the interior defender market. When healthy, Reader has been one of the finest players in the league at his position. He has been listed in the top ten of PFF’s inside defense rankings in two of the last three years, with a No. 11 finish in 2023. Danielle Hunter (Vikings) highlights the surviving pass rushers.
