The Minnesota Vikings worked quickly to find a replacement for their running back Christian Darrisaw after the left tackle went down with a season-ending knee injury in the Week 8 loss to the Los Angeles Rams. Minnesota announced Wednesday that the Vikings are pursuing a trade for offensive tackle Cam Robinson from the Jacksonville Jaguars until he passes his physical.
The Vikings will get Robinson and a conditional seventh-round pick in 2026, while the Jaguars will get a conditional fifth-round pick in 2026 that could become a fourth-round pick depending on playing time.
The 29-year-old Robinson is in the final year of a $54 million extension signed through 2022. He was selected by Jacksonville with the No. 34 overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft out of Alabama. Robinson is recovering from an injury suffered in the Jaguars' Week 7 win against the New England Patriots. He cleared concussion protocol, but was placed on the bench for Walker Little in the Jaguars' loss to the Green Bay Packers on Sunday.
PFF graded Robinson as the No. 32 tackle this season, making him the highest-rated Jaguars lineman. He has made 91 career starts for the Jaguars, and was even placed on the franchise tag twice. Now, he joins an NFC contender that aims to keep pace in the loaded NFC North.
Let's try to categorize this business:
Vikings: B+
The Vikings should be commended for quickly finding Darrisaw's replacement rather than relying on their reserves. Minnesota started the season 5-0 and has lost two in a row, and it's clear that coach Kevin O'Connell has high expectations for this team.
To make this team as good as it can be, quarterback Sam Darnold has to stay honest. Robinson isn't the same player as Darrisaw, but he's a legitimate starter at left tackle. His acquisition answers a big question facing the Vikings after Thursday night's unfortunate injury.
As for compensation, it's possible, if not likely, that Robinson will be gone long term when the 2026 NFL Draft arrives, but that's a play for 2024.
Jaguar: B
It's no surprise that Robinson is on his way out of Jacksonville, especially after not playing last weekend. He was in the final year of his contract, plus the Jaguars had already parted ways with a defensive lineman in Roy Robertson-Harris, and were struggling at 2-6.
Jacksonville has acquired a fifth- or fourth-round pick for a player on an expiring deal, and already has someone ready to step into his place on the offensive line with Little. Not a bad deal at all.