Tag: Darius Robinson

2024 NFL mock draft: Cletis Cutts

Here’s our latest mock draft release as the real deal draws near.

Cletis Cutts’ first mock draft of 2024 is now out. Sound off on social media and let us know what you think.

We’ll be unveiling several more mock drafts leading up to the real thing, so be sure to check back with our 2024 NFL Draft Central page to keep track of all of our offerings.

2024 NFL Mock Draft: Round 1

Pick NFL team Pos Player School
1 Chicago Bears QB Caleb Williams USC
2 Washington Commanders QB Jayden Daniels LSU
3 New England Patriots QB Drake Maye North Carolina
4 Arizona Cardinals WR Marvin Harrison Jr. Ohio State
5 Minnesota Vikings (from LAC)* QB J.J. McCarthy Michigan
6 New York Giants WR Malik Nabers LSU
7 Tennessee Titans OT Joe Alt Notre Dame
8 Atlanta Falcons EDGE Dallas Turner Alabama
9 Chicago Bears WR Rome Odunze Washington
10 New York Jets TE Brock Bowers Georgia
11 Los Angeles Chargers (from MIN)* WR Brian Thomas Jr. LSU
12 Denver Broncos CB Terrion Arnold Alabama
13 Las Vegas Raiders QB Michael Penix Jr. Washington
14 New Orleans Saints OT Taliese Fuaga Oregon State
15 Indianapolis Colts CB Quinyon Mitchell Toledo
16 Seattle Seahawks OT Olumuyiwa Fashanu Penn State
17 Jacksonville Jaguars EDGE Jared Verse Florida State
18 Cincinnati Bengals IOL Troy Fautanu Washington
19 Los Angeles Rams DT Byron Murphy II Texas
20 Pittsburgh Steelers OT JC Latham Alabama
21 Miami Dolphins EDGE Chop Robinson Penn State
22 Philadelphia Eagles CB Kool-Aid McKinstry Alabama
23 Los Angeles Chargers (from MIN>CLE>HOU)* EDGE Laiatu Latu UCLA
24 Dallas Cowboys IOL Jackson Powers-Johnson Oregon
25 Green Bay Packers OT Amarius Mims Georgia
26 Tampa Bay Buccaneers EDGE Darius Robinson Missouri
27 Arizona Cardinals (from HOU) DT Jer’Zhan Newton Illinois
28 Buffalo Bills WR Adonai Mitchell Texas
29 Detroit Lions CB Nate Wiggins Clemson
30 Baltimore Ravens OT Tyler Guyton Oklahoma
31 Denver Broncos (from SF)* QB Bo Nix Oregon
32 Kansas City Chiefs CB Cooper DeJean Iowa

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PFF identifies a popular draft riser as a top Day 2 target for the Saints

PFF identified a popular draft riser as a top Day 2 target for the Saints. How could Missouri defensive lineman Darius Robinson help the team?

There’s a ton of intrigue surrounding the New Orleans Saints as they finish preparing for the 2024 draft, but we’ve got a good idea about their plans in the first round: necessity is almost forcing them into adding an offensive tackle between Ryan Ramczyk’s health concerns and Trevor Penning’s too-slow development. So what’s more interesting is to consider their options in the second round.

Pro Football Focus’ Dalton Wasserman has a suggestion: Missouri Tigers defensive lineman Darius Robinson. It’s no secret that the Saints didn’t bring enough pressure on opposing quarterbacks last year, but Wasserman writes that Wasserman could help improve there while also upgrading a sneaky-bad New Orleans run defense:

“The Saints need defensive line help, and Missouri’s Darius Robinson could be a versatile target for the team. Robinson played on the edge in 2023 but has plenty of experience inside and could be better suited there. Either way, his strength in the run game and improved pass-rush ability would strengthen New Orleans’ defensive line.”

While Robinson mainly lined up inside against guards earlier in his career (logging 581 of his 762 snaps in the B gap in 2021 and 2022) he moved outside in 2023 and responded with career-highs in sacks (8.5) and total quarterback pressures (27, per PFF charting). The Saints use a ton of three-man fronts and he offers flexibility as someone who can play inside or out. He stood out in practices at the Senior Bowl this year and did well at the NFL Scouting Combine, though his numbers in agility drills were a little underwhelming.

And he certainly has the size they’ve looked for under head coach Dennis Allen. Robinson weighed in at an impressive 6-foot-5 and 285 pounds, with his 34.5-inch arms giving him a rare wingspan. If he was playing football 15 or 20 years ago he’d probably have been moved to offensive tackle. Instead, he uses his size to his advantage. Robinson’s 7.72 Relative Athletic Score doesn’t meet the thresholds that line up with the Saints’ usual standards, but it’s close enough to keep him in consideration with the 45th pick.

If the Saints can address their offensive line early on in the first round, maybe they can afford the luxury of drafting a defender like Robinson in the second round. Checking off that highest priority right away would free them up to look into other team needs like the defensive line and receiving corps (and we should remember they aren’t limited to wideouts; a pass-catching tight end could do well in this offense, too). With so many picks at their disposal in the later rounds, it shouldn’t shock anyone to see the Saints act aggressively to trade up for someone they value highly earlier in the draft. Maybe it’s someone like Robinson.

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Lions host local pro day for NFL draft prospects

Lions host local pro day for NFL draft prospects and here’s who participated

The Detroit Lions hosted their annual pro day for locally based NFL draft prospects on Tuesday. Over 20 players took advantage of the workout opportunity.

The local pro day primarily featured players from nearby colleges, with many prospects from Michigan, Eastern Michigan, Toledo and Michigan State. They were joined by prospects with Detroit roots as well, including players from UCLA, LSU and Texas A&M.

These players and their participation do not count against the Lions limit of 30 official pre-draft visits.

The attendees, with the local colleges followed by the local prospects who played collegiately outside of the regional area:

  • Karsen Barnhart, OL, Michigan
  • Michael Barrett, LB, Michigan
  • Judge Culpepper, DT, Toledo
  • Hamze El-Zayat, WR, Eastern Michigan
  • Jaylen Harrell, LB, Michigan
  • Trevor Keegan, OL, Michigan
  • Chase Kline, LB, Eastern Michigan
  • Tanner Knue, WR, Eastern Michigan
  • Chris McDonald, CB, Toledo
  • Tre Mosley, LB, Michigan State
  • Mike Sainristil, CB, Michigan
  • Roman Wilson, WR, Michigan
  • Jordan Anderson, S, UCLA
  • Theo Day, QB, Northern Iowa
  • Josh DeBerry, CB, Texas A&M
  • James Ester, DT, Northern Illinois
  • Kalon Gervin, CB, Kansas
  • Ovie Oghoufo, DL, LSU
  • Ruke Orhorhoro, DT, Clemson
  • Reggie Pearson, S, Oklahoma
  • Walter Reynolds, S, Ohio
  • Darius Robinson, DL, Missouri
  • Justin Rogers, DT, Auburn

2024 NFL Draft: Missouri DL Darius Robinson scouting report

Missouri DL Darius Robinson is an ideal modern NFL disruptor, because he can get it done all over the defensive line.

A three-star recruit at Canton High School in Canton, Michigan, Darius Robinson didn’t play organized football until his junior year. But he still had a couple of pressures as a true freshman in 2019, and worked his way up to First-Team All-SEC in 2023 despite an injury-plagued season. Last year, the 6′ 5⅛”, 285-pound Robinson was good for nine sacks, 42 total pressures, 22 solo tackles, and 22 stops, and he did that all over the defensive line — 81% EDGE, 19% defensive tackle, and 1% nose tackle.

Robinson projects as an ideal every-gap disruptor at the NFL level, and his athletic traits could have him as a plus lineman when his professional career expands.

PLUSES

— Very strong upper body; when Robinson gets into the blocker’s numbers with his hands, he can just collapse his opponent, and he has a great shock move to bring the blocker in and then just shed him aside.

— Freaky wingspan allows him to roll quickly with the inside counter; Robinson can cross your face before you know it.

— Excellent speed to and through the pocket.

— Has a bull-rush with serious potential; Robinson will be a tough go for NFL tackles in power situations. Once he gets a tackle on the track, the tackle is in big trouble.

— Can win everywhere from wide-9 to 3-tech.

— Got it done as a pass-rusher without the help of a lot of blitzes; had several pressures out of three-man fronts.

MINUSES

— Robinson will occasionally get over his skis in open space and just whiff on tackles.

— Needs to be highly aware of pad level and leverage, especially inside, or he’ll lose power battles right off the snap.

— Needs a better plan with his hands to avoid wrestling when he should be penetrating.

— Gets so involved in what’s in front of him that he’ll miss run keys that are a gap over.

I avoid same-school comparisons unless they’re unavoidable. In Robinson’s case, he had me thinking of Aldon Smith right away in the combination of wingspan and play speed. That Robinson generally rolled at 20-20 pounds heavier is a testament to Robinson’s unusual athletic profile for his size. There are things to clean up here, but the raw and refined tools make me think that he may disappear a bit in his rookie season, but over time, he could be a true multi-gap demolition expert.

Unpacking Future Packers: No. 36, Missouri DL Darius Robinson

Up next in the Unpacking Future Packers draft preview series is Missouri defensive lineman Darius Robinson.

The Unpacking Future Packers Countdown is a countdown of 100 prospects that could be selected by the Green Bay Packers in the 2024 NFL draft.

The Green Bay Packers have invested heavily in the defensive line during the past two NFL Drafts. Brian Gutekunst selected Devonte Wyatt in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft and drafted Lukas Van Ness in the first round the following year. Along with those two first-rounders Gutekunst has selected Kingsley Enagbare, Colby Wooden and Karl Brooks.

With those young pieces in place alongside Kenny Clark, Rashan Gary, Preston Smith and TJ Slaton, the Packers have the makings of a formidable defensive line for first-year defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley. 

A player that could help take that group to the next level is Darius Robinson. The Missouri defensive lineman checks in at No. 36 in the Unpacking Future Packers Countdown. 

A three-star recruit out of Michigan, Robinson enjoyed a breakout season in 2022, recording 5.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks. This past season, Robinson recorded 43 tackles, 14 tackles for loss and 8.5 sacks. 

“D-Rob selflessly slid over to defensive end to round out the only position group that truly had question marks entering the season,” Parker Gillam, the Missouri beat writer for RockMNation.com, said. “That allowed the pass rush to become a strength rather than a liability, as Robinson got used to playing in more space, he and Johnny Walker Jr. formed a formidable duo off the edge. He was a consistent producer that was effective in both pass rush and run defense, but perhaps more so than anything else he was a leader for this team.”

There are so many things that go into evaluating a player. What a player brings inside a locker room, leadership qualities, football instincts, and passion for the game are some of those things that don’t quite get the fanfare that athletic testing does. While Robinson may not have turned heads with his athletic testing, he likely wowed teams during the interview process.

“As a football player, D-Rob checks all the boxes,” Gillam said. “He loves the game, has great power, is versatile, sneaky quick, violent with his hands and physical at the point of attack. I will always argue that D-Rob somehow held even more worth for this team as a leader. Cody Schrader led by example. Brady Cook led through his “chip on the shoulder” mindset and comeback story.

But, D-Rob was the vocal leader of this team. He led most of the team warm-ups, attended media days and was always thrown in front of the podium during the season. He did all of it with a smile almost permanently plastered to his face. You could tell he was a guy who was truly enjoying the sport every week, and he would give anything to see his program win. In covering the team, we heard all about how big of a presence (literally and figuratively) D-Rob was in the locker room, and I’d imagine that the team wouldn’t have gotten as far as it did without his uplifting, steadying presence.”

Robinson has powerful, active hands that jolt offensive linemen. If he doesn’t win with his first-step quickness, he has the power to blast through offensive linemen. When he wins the corner he has the closing burst to track down the quarterback. The Missouri defensive linemen has a deep bag of tricks to get after the quarterback and recorded 42 pressures to go along with his 8.5 sacks this past season. 

“He has a unique combination of power and speed,” Gillam said. “It isn’t necessarily breakneck, open-field speed, but in close quarters, I saw plenty of offensive tackles be somewhat surprised at the twitch D-Rob has off the line. With the strength and experience of playing at defensive tackle, Robinson knows exactly what to do when he gets his hands on you, so the opposing tackles generally lost as soon as they were half a step behind. He’s got violent hands, an endless motor and does not usually miss when he gets his hands on the quarterback.”

Robinson uses his length to help keep himself clean and detach from blocks. He’s alert and shows a radar for the football. His blend of power and quickness helps him disrupt the action in the backfield. He can be a wrecking ball. Over the past two seasons, Robinson recorded 19.5 tackles for loss and 36 run stops. 

“His experience of playing defensive tackle means that you have a potential run-stuffer on the edge in his own way,” Gillam said. “He’s never going to shy away from any form of contact, meaning you can play the guy on every down. He’s worked out at both tackle and end at the Senior Bowl, so it’s going to all come down to how a team evaluates him and what their needs are.”

Fit with the Packers

With his power, initial quickness, instincts, and experience moving across the defensive line, Robinson has the makings of a disruptive force. On top of all those things, he’s a high-character prospect that coaches will likely be pounding the table for on draft night. 

“Maturity and versatility,” Gillam said. “Regarding the former, D-Rob is a seasoned football player in every sense of the phrase, and he’s seen it all on and off the field. As I said, he approached every presser with a smile, was one of the main leaders of the team and also did plenty of great work in the Columbia community. I’d imagine that Robinson will become a fan favorite rather quickly, and his personality is infectious in the locker room. Regarding the latter, he has quality experience in playing both defensive tackle and defensive end in the SEC, something that very few players have ever been able to say. The ability to have D-Rob step in and fill the depth chart out at either spot is enticing for general managers, and he’s got the potential to excel at both in the future.”

The Packers don’t have a pressing need to add another piece to the defensive line. However, a team can never have enough quality pieces up front. Robinson can play on the edge or kick inside. He can generate pressure and was a disruptive force against the run. 

The Packers own four picks on Day 2 of the draft and with the tools that Robinson possesses, he could be a potential target as the Packers look to create a dominant defensive line for Hafley. Play on the edge or kick him inside, it doesn’t matter, Robinson is a player who has shown he can dominate from either spot.  

Titans had virtual meeting with Missouri DL Darius Robinson

The Titans and Missouri DL Darius Robinson reportedly had a virtual meeting.

Despite what has been an exciting offseason thus far, The Tennessee Titans still have a slew of needs to address moving forward, with one of them coming along the defensive line.

The Titans entered the offseason in need of a pair of defensive linemen. The hope was Tennessee could fill one of those needs with the re-signing of Denico Autry, but he left in free agency to the Houston Texans.

As of now, the only move Tennessee has made upfront has been the signing of Sebastian Joseph-Day.

Knowing their need upfront, it comes as no surprise the Titans are showing interest in Missouri defensive lineman, Darius Robinson, who the team has held a virtual meeting with, per Justin Melo of The Draft Network.

Here’s more on the 6-foot-5, 285-pound lineman, per Lance Zierlein of NFL.com:

Right out of the gate, Robinson’s physical attributes should give him a potential advantage in head-to-head matchups. He has jarring power in his hands and a twitchy upper body to get rid of blockers quickly. His arm length is a weapon at the point of attack. His play can lack control and awareness at times, but the good outweighs the bad. He’s a good athlete, but his pass rush is predictable. He lacks potent moves and counters as an edge rusher, leaning heavily on force. Robinson’s power and motor increase the chances he becomes a good starting base end who reduces inside on third downs.

As Melo notes, Robinson could end up being a good replacement for Autry, although expecting him to fill those shoes in Year 1 is expecting too much. The versatile Robinson also has the ability to kick inside if need be.

Most projections have him going on Day 2, so the Titans, who don’t own a third-round pick, would likely have to jump on him at No. 38 overall.

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2024 NFL mock draft: Daniel Jeremiah has puzzling pick for Bucs

See who the Tampa Bay Buccaneers land in the latest 2024 NFL mock draft from NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah

The latest 2024 NFL mock draft from NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah is hot off the digital presses, and his pick for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is a strange one.

At the No. 26 overall selection, Jeremiah has the Bucs taking Missouri defensive lineman Darius Robinson.

Here’s Jeremiah’s reasoning for the pick:

Robinson offers versatility, physicality and athleticism to the Bucs’ front. He would be a great complement to one of the best sleeper picks in last year’s draft, YaYa Diaby.

It’s obviously true that the Bucs need a blue-chip edge defender out of this draft class, considering they’ve released veteran Shaq Barrett and declined the fifth-year option on disappointing 2021 first-rounder Joe Tryon-Shoyinka. That said, Robinson is an odd choice to fill that role.

While he’s listed by many as an edge defender, Robinson’s size and skill set make him an odd fit for Todd Bowles’ defense. At 6-5 and 285 pounds, Robinson projects more as an interior player in Tampa Bay’s scheme, something the Bucs need far less than a true edge defender to line up opposite Diaby.

Robinson’s athleticism and versatility could still be useful to Bowles, obviously, but if the Bucs wanted an edge rusher in this mock, Penn State’s Chop Robinson was still available and would have made far more sense.

To check out Jeremiah’s full first-round mock draft at NFL.com, click here.

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2024 NFL Mock Draft: Trades for QBs shake up Round 1; Ravens retool offensive line

We’re looking at an updated three round NFL mock draft for all 32 teams after the first wave of free agency

The Ravens are still in the crux of a potential Super Bowl window. Still, they’ll look drastically different on both sides of the football after undergoing massive changes to player personnel and the coaching staff. Eric DeCosta started the off-season with urgency, signing Justin Madubuike, one of the league’s best defensive linemen, to an extension. After inking Madubuike to a deal, Baltimore seemed to win the first wave of the free agency period after getting Derrick Henry for two years and $16 million. The talented running back could earn $20 million throughout the deal. All wasn’t perfect, as the Ravens suffered significant free-agent losses. Patrick Queen (Steelers), Geno Stone (Bengals), and Gus Edwards (Chargers) were among eight free agents to sign elsewhere. Baltimore also traded Morgan Moses to the Jets and released Tyus Bowser in a cost-cutting move. With the second wave of free agency set to begin, we’re looking at an updated three-round mock draft.

2024 NFL draft: Updated first round mock after Day 1 of legal tampering period

We’re looking at an updated first round 2024 NFL mock draft after the first day of the legal tampering period that saw Kirk Cousins to Falcons, Brian Burns to Giants, and Saquon Barkley to Eagles

The Ravens are heading into an uncertain offseason with an MVP quarterback, a shrinking Super Bowl window, and five of the top free agents in the NFL.

Baltimore GM Eric DeCosta and head coach John Harbaugh have started the journey of retooling a roster that is in flux and set to see significant changes at offensive tackle, running back, wide receiver, linebacker, and cornerback, among other positions.

Justin Madubuike’s contract allows the Ravens to approach the draft from the best player available approach.

Baltimore lost five players during Day 1 of the legal tampering period, and with a massive week of free agency discussions set to begin, we’re projecting the first round of April’s NFL draft for all 32 teams.

2024 NFL draft: Updated first round mock after Day 1 of legal tampering period

We’re looking at an updated first round 2024 NFL mock draft after the first day of the legal tampering period that saw Kirk Cousins to Falcons, Brian Burns to Giants, and Saquon Barkley to Eagles

The Eagles are set for wholesale changes after finishing the 2023 season 1-6 after a 10-1 start.

The dominos started to fall as All-Pro center Jason Kelce and star defensive tackle Fletcher Cox announced their retirements.

Brandon Graham, who turns 36 in April, is returning for one more final season, his 15th, and he’s one of the few guys on the roster deserving of writing his final script.

The first day of the legal tampering period offered a glimpse into the future after Saquon Barkley agreed to a 3-year, $37.75 million deal with Philadelphia, Kirk Cousins signed a $100 million contract with the Falcons, and the New York Giants acquired Brian Burns.