Pair of former Nittany Lions near top of key NFL category

Former Penn State Football standouts Chris Godwin and Allen Robinson are among the NFL’s more explosive wide receivers, entering critical seasons

The vertical passing game has become even more important in the NFL in recent seasons, as playmaking wide receivers are more valuable than ever, and a pair of former Nittany Lions are among the league’s most lethal deep-threats.

According to statistics compiled by insider Marcus Mosher, Chris Godwin and Allen Robinson are near the top of the list in most receptions of 20-plus yards over the past two seasons.

Godwin, who won his first career Super Bowl with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers has 38 such explosive plays, just two fewer than Stephon Diggs, while Robinson checks in with 37:

Last season, Robinson caught a career-high 102 passes for 1,250 yards and six touchdowns, and could even see an uptick in production if rookie Justin Fields sees early action this upcoming season and lives up to the expectations as a top-15 pick.

Meanwhile, Godwin is part of one of the NFL’s premier receiving corps and a critical cog in Tom Brady’s supporting cast. Last season, en route to beating the Kansas City Chiefs to hoist the Lombardi Trophy, Godwin caught 65 passes for 840 yards and seven touchdowns, despite missing time during the season with a broken finger.

Both players are playing the 2021 season under the franchise tag, and are plenty motivated to increase their production to cash in on a long-term contract.