EAGAN, Minn. — The Vikings **announced Monday** that they have signed wide receiver Aldrick Robinson.
Robinson most recently played for the 49ers, whom he signed with as a free agent during the 2017 offseason. In 2017, he played in all 16 games, making one start, and recorded 19 catches for 260 yards and two touchdowns.
During the 2018 preseason, Robinson had two catches for 68 yards, including a 35-yard reception against the Colts in San Francisco's third preseason game.
Robinson was initially selected by Washington in the sixth round (178th overall) of the 2011 NFL Draft. He has also spent time with the Ravens (2014-15) and the Falcons (2016).
Here are five things to know about the newest Vikings wide receiver:
1. Connection with Cousins
Robinson spent two-plus seasons (2012-14) in Washington while Cousins was the backup quarterback to Robert Griffin III.
Vikings Head Coach Mike Zimmer said during his Monday afternoon podium session that the background with Cousins is beneficial.
"Cousins was with him before, and he really liked him," Zimmer said. "He's a fast guy, makes some deep ball plays. Kirk throws a great deep ball, as you saw the other day."
2. Stretching the field
Over the past two seasons, Robinson has played all 16 games for Atlanta and San Francisco, respectively, and made one start with each team.
Robinson totaled 39 catches for 583 yards (14.9 yards per catch) and four touchdowns over that time. His longest catches of those seasons were 59 yards and 45 yards for the Falcons and 49ers, respectively.
3. Native of Lone Star State
Robinson's hometown is Waxahachie, Texas, making him the sixth player on the Vikings 53-man roster to call the Lone Star State home.
He joins Holton Hill (Houston), Danielle Hunter (Katy), George Iloka (Houston), David Morgan (Marble Falls) and Andrew Sendejo (San Antonio).
4. SMU Standout
Robinson was a standout at Southern Methodist University, where as a senior in 2010 he led the Mustangs with 1,301 receiving yards and finished second in program history with 3,314 career receiving yards.
His 181 career receptions, including five during the Armed Forces Bowl, are the fourth-most in SMU history.
Robinson teamed with Cole Beasley to combine for 2,361 receiving yards in 2010.
5. Small but speedy
Listed at 5-foot-10 and 185 pounds, Robinson isn't the biggest receiver out there but likely is among the fastest.
Robinson tied for the fourth-fastest time in the 40-yard dash at the 2011 NFL Scouting Combine. He clocked in at 4.43 seconds along with Leonard Hankerson and Torrey Smith. Falcons receiver Julio Jones finished just ahead at 4.39.
A former track star, Robinson also finished in the top 10 in the vertical jump (40 inches), broad jump (10 feet, 6 inches), 3-cone drill (6.65 seconds), and 20-yard shuttle (4.09 seconds).
