Questioning the validity of Dave Ziegler as Raiders GM in the early going
Questioning the validity of Dave Ziegler as Raiders GM in the early going
A series of questionable roster cuts – Demarcus Robinson
When questioning the validity of Dave Ziegler as GM, it isn’t just a poor-performing draft class nor a free agency period that seemed to produce nothing except disappointment. It’s also tossing talent that was already on the roster for no good reason.
Some of these cuts didn’t make any sense at the time, and the upward trajectories of the cut players in question only beg for more answers.
The first of these head-scratching cuts is Demarcus Robinson.
Robinson was brought over from Kansas City with hopes of him complimenting newly acquired wideout Davante Adams on the outside as the wideout no.2. This plan never materialized, and Robinson was cut during the initial roster cutdown to 85 players.
Well, it’s certainly true Mack Hollins has surpassed every expectation of him at wideout no.2, but outside of him and Adams, no other pass catcher has been a bright spot. Even both Darren Waller and Hunter Renfrow have been lackluster before landing on the Injured Reserves list this week.
In Baltimore, Robinson has certainly been a bright spot.
Through eight contests, the 28-year-old has logged 16 receptions for 152 yards and a touchdown. Against Tampa Bay, Robinson was responsible for six catches and 64 yards. Thanks to his efforts, the Ravens would finish the game with a 27-22 win over Tom Brady and the Buccaneers.
Then, there are the players Las Vegas elected to keep over Robinson.
Adams and Hollins have been staples, and Renfrow was never going to be replaced even had it been known he would struggle mightily this season, but Robinson would fill in greatly as the fourth receiver on the team.
In his place stood D.J. Turner, Tyron Johnson, and Keelan Cole.
Turner has missed multiple games this season, but it doesn’t change the fact he’s yet to record a single reception. All the same, Turner is still a member of the Raiders; that’s more than we can say about Tyron Johnson, who signed with the Houston Texans two weeks ago.
Cole’s situation is a bit more unique, but it ultimately falls into the same category either way. Although he didn’t make the final 53-man roster, the team held out hope for him until the end while comfortably letting Demarcus Robinson become a free agent. Since resigning with the team, Cole has accumulated 42 receiving yards with a drop percentage of 11.1%.
Now with Hunter Renfrow hitting the IR list, the need for Robinson is magnified. But why were Ziegler and his staff so keen on moving on from him, to begin with?