Marcus Robinson

With Koren Robinson and Troy Williamson seen improving, and Brad Johson finding chemistry with Travis Taylor late in the season, Robinson’s declining production once Brad Johnson took over at quarterback could be a bad omen. He'll likely be the No. 4 receiver and a Red Zone specialist.

Troy Williamson could overtake him for the starting job in camp, but should Robinson win, he’ll be Minnesota’s primary long-ball and red-zone threat. At 6-3, 215 pounds, Robinson can get up over top of defensive backs, and he has the sneaky speed to get behind them on vertical routes. Robinson’s not much of a receiver in the middle of the field, but he scored four times on 16 targets in the red zone, and three times on his six targets around the goal line. With Randy Moss (and his 12 inside-the-five targets gone), Robinson could well pick up the slack from in close. Robinson had minor surgery to remove a cyst from his left knee this offseason, but he’s expected to be fine for training camp.

Robinson enters the season as the number two WR in Minnesota. While Robinson's strong second half with Baltimore last season reminded many of his glory days with Chicago (1,400 yards and nine touchdowns in 1999), there are a number of reasons he'll likely be overvalued in your draft. First, second receivers next to Randy Moss have not produced since the departure of Cris Carter. The combined totals of receivers other than Moss in the offense put up 1,200 total receiving yards in 2002 and 1,143 in 2003 with no receiver having more than four touchdows or 689 yards in each season. Second, Robinson's revival last season was mostly limited to two big games. He had five touchdowns and 202 yards in Week 12 and 13, and just one touchdown and only one game of more than 44 yards the rest of the season. Lastly, Robinson has been injury-prone and inconsistent since coming back from major back and knee injuries a few years ago.

Robinson begins training camp healthy, but in a battle for a starting job with fellow free agent signee Frank Sanders. In an offense focused on ball control and filled with unproven quarterbacks, don't expect a return to his 1999 numbers.