NFL Pundits Suddenly Love Vikings Trade for Cam Robinson

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Cam Robinson
Credit: Mark Konezny-Imagn Images

The Minnesota Vikings did very little at the trade deadline, but they put in some serious work before it. Although they lost All-Pro Christian Darrisaw for the season, Minnesota quickly went out and found an alternative. Cam Robinson’s addition to the Vikings may have been reactionary, but Kwesi Adofo-Mensah also saw it as necessary. He’s now receiving praise for it.

Cam Robinson gives Vikings a path forward

You always would prefer that good teams add talent throughout the season. Cam Robinson’s acquisition was the result of another starter going down. That’s not unlike what happened when Minnesota traded for T.J. Hockenson in the wake of Irv Smith Jr.’s injury. Still, supplementing a roster can come in multiple forms and a new left tackle was a better outcome than shuffling internal pieces. The national sources seem to agree.

“The Cam Robinson trade might be my favorite deal. It shows that Kevin O’Connell and Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, who’ve been meticulous in flipping the Minnesota Vikings’ roster the past three years, are willing to do something to help give the current group a chance in the aftermath of the Christian Darrisaw injury. That kind of move resonates with players.”

Albert Breer on the Vikings trade for Cam Robinson (Sports Illustrated)

As Breer notes, a move to replace Darrisaw does much more than trying to piece things together. Blake Brandel sticks at a position that he has thrived in. Dalton Risner remains a candidate to supplant a struggling Ed Ingram. The message sent says we know this roster is capable of making noise. He’s not alone either.

Related: Vikings Nearly Traded Overshadowed Linebacker at Trade Deadline

“Cam Robinson to the Vikings. Minnesota’s ready-made offense had a major hole to fill when left tackle Christian Darrisaw — who was well on his way to the Pro Bowl — suffered a season-ending knee injury. This left the Vikings in a precarious spot, since quality left tackles are scarce and coveted. One of the only teams with three quality tackles was Jacksonville, which had just fallen to 2-6 at the time Minnesota consummated the deal with a fourth-round pick. Robinson is an eight-year starter with pedigree. Now, the Vikings keep their playoff plan intact with capable play on the left side at a reasonable price.”

Jeremy Fowler on the Robinson trade (ESPN)

“I like that pick a lot. Robinson is certainly not Darrisaw, but given how difficult it is to find starting-caliber offensive linemen at any time of the season, you have to admire the Vikings for getting out there and trying to plug a hole they absolutely had to plug.”

Dan Graziano on the Robinson trade (ESPN)

There are few positions more important on a football field than the left tackle. Minnesota has an average quarterback in Sam Darnold, but he can be propped up with good protection. They understood his effectiveness was at stake and went to do something about it.

Related: ESPN Analytics Guy Trashes Vikings Trade for Cam Robinson

Minnesota added Cam Robinson while giving up very little in return. With a strong start to the season there was no reason to let the record fall into a hollow territory down the stretch. The future remains bright, and so too does the present.

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