With every catch, every first-down and undoubtedly every touchdown that has become a weekly occurrence if not more, the price tag to re-sign Laurent Robinson seems to be increasing.
Whether it's the Cowboys next year or another team when he becomes a free-agent, it's becoming rather clear that someone will likely have to fork over a few bucks to have Robinson's services next season.
Obviously, with five games and possibly more to play this year, Robinson said he doesn't allow himself to think ahead too far. But that doesn't mean someone isn't.
"Well I let my agent take care of that stuff," Robinson said. "I don't really want to think like that. I'm just happy to be on a team that's winning and I'm able to contribute. It's early for me to think like that. But I'm sure my agent is figuring all that stuff out."
And the reason there is something to figure out in the first place is because Robinson is playing himself into a nice payday at the end of this season, if not sooner. With seven touchdowns in the last five games, Robinson has not only set himself up nicely for a new contract, but he's one of the biggest reasons the Cowboys have turned things around in the last month. And they've done so without starting receiver Miles Austin.
"I don't know if anyone really expected him to play as well as he has," tight end Jason Witten said. "You saw the talent and the size right away. But for him to come in and learn the offense so quickly and to be someone who can get open and make plays like he has, that wasn't easy to see. But you've got to give Laurent credit. He's a done a great job and I'm not sure we'd be where we are right now without him."
The more touchdowns that keep piling him, which currently has Robinson tied for eighth in the NFL with seven TD catches, it will likely increase his market value at the end of the season. While he's a classic third receiver for this Cowboys team that already has Austin and Dez Bryant, there is a good chance Robinson will warrant No. 2 receiver money from another team.
Of course, that's not to say the Cowboys won't try and compete to keep him. Coach Jason Garrett was asked that question on Thursday and to no surprise, he dismissed the notion, stating it was too early to get into all of that.
Maybe it is too early. But the things Robinson has done over the last month, are and will be the reason it might not be so easy to keep him in the fold next year.
