The Indianapolis Colts have announced that the team has signed free agent cornerback Patrick Robinson to a 3-year deal, who was visiting the team on Wednesday:
Welcome to #ColtsNation Patrick Robinson! pic.twitter.com/dWgSN1JHmg
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) March 23, 2016
While exact terms of the deal have yet to be disclosed, the 28 year old cornerback figures to start alongside Vontae Davis.
It’s interesting because it was reported that Robinson had agreed to the parameters of a contract with the Dallas Cowboys just days earlier before changing his representation.
However, he’s since released a statement clarifying the matter upon signing with the Colts:
Statement from CB Patrick Robinson on the circumstances surrounding his free agency. pic.twitter.com/yh8W5ccyoz
— Rand Getlin (@RandGetlin) March 23, 2016
Regardless, the 7-year veteran is coming off an impressive season for the San Diego Chargers in which he recorded 49 tackles, 1 interception, and 1 forced fumble in 16 games (10 starts).
Of course, the Colts coaching staff should be very familiar with Robinson, as new defensive backs coach Greg Williams served as the Chargers assistant secondary coach this past season.
Not to mention, last season’s returning Chargers defensive coordinator John Pagano is Colts head coach Chuck Pagano‘s younger brother.
Originally a 1st round pick of the New Orleans Saints in 2010, Robinson revitalized his career during a one-year stint with the Chargers, demonstrating the talent and production that made him once such a highly regarded cornerback prospect.
It’s been noted that Robinson can play both on the outside and in the inside, where he is apparently also very comfortable:
When Patrick Robinson lined up in the slot, opposing QBs had an NFL passer rating of 67.7 when targeting him; 3rd best for slot CBs
— Nathan Jahnke (@PFF_NateJahnke) March 23, 2016
The Colts have struggled finding a starting cornerback to pair with Davis, as last year’s starter Greg Toler was largely a disappointment and is unlikely to be re-signed.
Meanwhile, Darius Butler is ideally suited as the team’s nickel cornerback covering the slot, while the jury is still out on 2nd-year player D’Joun Smith, who saw his rookie season limited with a knee injury.
As such, Robinson figures to provide some much needed stability to the position to complement Davis on the other side:
"“For perspective, Robinson was Pro Football Focus 30th rated cornerback this past season with a +79.4 grade overall, which was just one spot behind the Colts very own Vontae Davis–who had a bit of a down season for his high standards.Meanwhile, Toler had an overall grade of 36.4 overall, which was the 113th worst among 119 qualifiers.”"
While it’ll be interesting to hear the final contract numbers, Robinson looks like a solid signing for the Colts secondary going forward.