Could These Former Saints Come Back In Free Agency?

Patrick Robinson

Aug 29, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Chargers defensive back Patrick Robinson (26) before the preseason game against the Seattle Seahawks at Qualcomm Stadium. Seattle won 16-15. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports

This could be a touchy one for a contingent of people on several levels and I can completely understand why when it comes to the former 2010 first round pick of the Saints.

Robinson was a player during his time in New Orleans that showed flashes of what could be, but never could seem to stay consistent.

His best years seemed to be in 2011-2012 where he had 91 total tackles, seven interceptions with one returned for a touchdown, a sack, and a forced fumble.

After he suffered a patella injury in 2014 where he appeared in just two games, Robinson was expected to have a bounce-back season in 2014.

But he was shuffled around, mainly regulated to the slot position, and only started six games where he registered 39 tackles and two interceptions.

Sep 13, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; New Orleans Saints cornerback Kyle Wilson (24) against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The Saints decided to let him walk in free agency last year where he was signed by the San Diego Chargers, with New Orleans signing former New York Jets corner Kyle Wilson to essentially complete what I called in an article at the time “trading one Patrick Robinson for another“.

Judging from what both corners did for their respective 2015 team it could appear that way with Robinson starting 10 games tallying 49 total tackles, one interception, and a forced fumble, while Wilson started only four games but still snagged an interception along with 27 total tackles.

This could be a coin flip if you’re looking strictly at possibilities, but Wilson would have my vote as far as spending goes since the Saints were able to sign him in 2015 for a one-year contract for $745,000 vs. Robinson’s contract with San Diego that was the same length but was $2 million.

When it comes to performance however, Robinson has the edge with Pro Football Focus placing him at #28 with Wilson coming in at #66 in overall cornerback rankings out of 118 players.

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