Tag: Kenny Robinson

Rams have shown interest in former XFL safety Kenny Robinson Jr. ahead of draft

Kenny Robinson Jr. could be on the Rams’ radar in the fourth or fifth round of the draft.

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John Johnson and Taylor Rapp could emerge as one of the best safety tandems in the NFL next season, continuing a trend of quality play at that position for the Rams. But if one of them were to get hurt, it’d be Nick Scott or Jake Gervase as the next man up.

That’s not ideal, which is why the Rams will add safety depth either in the draft or later via free agency. Kenny Robinson Jr. is one of the most interesting prospects in the draft because despite playing in the XFL last season, he still has draft eligibility after playing just two years at West Virginia.

The Rams are showing interest in Robinson, too, as he told Mike Kaye of NJ.com that the Rams were among the teams that have called him. With his unique path to the draft, it’s easy to understand why L.A. would be doing its due diligence on him.

Robinson is more than just a cool story, too. He’s a really good player and a prospect the Rams should have their eye on in the fourth and fifth rounds. At West Virginia, Robinson had seven interceptions in just two seasons. Last season in the XFL, he picked off another two passes and was a true ballhawk in the secondary.

Robinson plays a traditional free safety role, often lining up in the deep middle. He has the speed and range to get from the middle of the field to the sidelines, showing that off at West Virginia and with the Battlehawks.

If the Rams were to draft him, he’d become the No. 3 safety in no time and would receive snaps as a rookie with all of the three-safety sets Los Angeles deploys. With how little talent the Rams have at linebacker, too, they should be using three safeties often again in 2020.

Robinson would make a lot of sense for the rams on Day 3 of the draft.

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Bears have met with former XFL safety Kenny Robinson

The Bears are looking for a safety to pair opposite Eddie Jackson, and perhaps that’s former XFL star Kenny Robinson.

When it comes to roster needs heading into the 2020 NFL Draft, safety is near the top of the list for Chicago Bears.

So it’s not surprising that the Bears have shown interest in safeties during the pre-draft process, including a former XFL star that is draft-eligible.

The Bears recently met with former West Virginia and St. Louis BattleHawks safety Kenny Robinson, according to The Draft Network’s Jordan Reid.

Robinson proved to be a ball hawk during his time in the XFL and at the collegiate level. In five games with the BattleHawks, Robinson had two interceptions in the eight passes thrown his way, according to Pro Football Focus charting.

At West Virginia, Robinson nabbed three interceptions — including two for scores — as a freshman. He followed that up with four picks as a sophomore in 2018.

The Bears are looking for a strong safety to pair opposite Pro Bowler Eddie Jackson. While Robinson has played centerfield during his career, he’s a versatile player that can play either strong or free safety.

Robinson is projected to be a Day 3 prospect, which favors the Bears who currently have five picks in Rounds 5-7 — one in the fifth round and a pair of picks in both the sixth and seventh rounds.

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Philadelphia Eagles final 7-round mock draft

Here is our final Philadelphia Eagles 7-round mock draft as we get closer to the 2020 NFL Draft on April 23, 2020.

The Philadelphia Eagles head into the 2020 NFL Draft with some major holes on their roster, mainly at wide receiver and linebacker. After not signing one free agent pass-catcher, Eagles fans would love to see their favorite team select a receiver with the 21st overall pick.

Luckily for Eagles’ fans, the 2020 NFL Draft is almost here, with the first round set to start on Thursday, April 23, 2020, at 7:00 PM EST. This NFL Draft will be very unique because of COVID-19, so teams will be drafting from home, reminiscent of your fantasy football draft with your friends.

In our post-combine 7-round mock draft, the Eagles took former LSU wide receiver, Justin Jefferson, with the 21st overall pick, but in our post-free agency 7-round mock draft, the Eagles traded the No. 21 overall pick to the Jacksonville Jaguars for defensive end Yannick Ngakoue.

This is our final 7-round mock draft before the 2020 NFL Draft.

*Note: This is what we would consider doing, not what we think the Eagles will do. Also, all draft pick values are referenced from the 2020 NFL Trade Value Chart (via DraftTek.com).*

Round 1, Pick 30 (From Green Bay): Kenneth Murray, LB, Oklahoma

*Trade*

Eagles receive: Pick 30 (620), Pick 94 (124), and Pick 136 (38) (782 total)

Packers receive: Pick 21 (800)

The expectation is that the Eagles will select a wide receiver with the 21st overall pick. If Justin Jefferson is still available at that spot, the Eagles should stay put and take the stud receiver from LSU. However, as we get closer to draft day, it seems more and more likely Jefferson will be gone, along with the other top 3 wide receivers. For that reason, the Eagles should trade down and collect some extra draft picks in a loaded draft class.

The Green Bay Packers know that their window with quarterback Aaron Rodgers is closing, so the Eagles should target them as a team they can trade back with. In this trade back, the Eagles get the Packers 1st round pick, as well as an extra 3rd and 4th rounder.

With the 30th overall pick in the first round, the Eagles take former Oklahoma linebacker, Kenneth Murray. A lot of analysts and pundits do not believe the Eagles will take a linebacker in the first round, which is fair thinking. Philly has not valued linebackers for a very long time. It has been 41 years since they have taken a linebacker the first round, but it is time for the thinking to change.

Murray would be an instant starter for the Eagles and give them the stud linebacker they have needed. Murray is so aggressive on the field and he just flies around and makes plays. He would become an instant fan favorite in Philly and give the Eagles a building block on defense.

It is also worth noting former Eagles scout and lead NFL Draft analyst for NFL Network Daniel Jeremiah had the Eagles taking Murray in his latest mock. So, yes, this may not make you happy, but the Eagles should add Murray to their defense.

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Giants select Tristan Wirfs in The Athletic’s seven-round mock draft

The New York Giants land Iowa OT Tristan Wirfs and a ton of other talent in The Athletic’s seven-round mock draft.

The 2020 NFL Draft is now less than two weeks away and some of the top publicans are beginning to finalize their mock drafts.

Among them is Dane Brugler of The Athletic, who released version 5.0 of his mock draft on Monday. And while a window was left open for the possibility of one more version between now and the draft, he acknowledges that the likelihood of another seven-round draft is slim-to-none.

So, what does Brugler have the New York Giants doing? He starts their draft off with Iowa offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs.

The Giants’ decision could come down to their highest-ranked tackle or a defensive playmaker like Isaiah Simmons. One of the reasons I think they will lean toward tackle is the impact that will make on other recent first-round picks like Saquon Barkley and Daniel Jones.

And here are the Giants’ next nine picks:

  • 36. New York Giants – A.J. Epenesa, Edge, Iowa
  • 99. New York Giants – Bryan Edwards, WR, South Carolina
  • 110. New York Giants – Kenny Robinson, FS, XFL
  • 150. New York Giants – Keith Ismael, OC, San Diego State
  • 183. New York Giants – Evan Weaver, LB, California
  • 218. New York Giants – Rodrigo Blankenship, PK, Georgia
  • 238. New York Giants (from NO) – Jared Pinkney, TE, Vanderbilt
  • 247. New York Giants – Rico Dowdle, RB, South Carolina
  • 255. New York Giants – Stantley Thomas-Oliver III, CB, FIU

Brugler also offered the following commentary for the Bryan Edwards pick:

Out of sight and out of mind – unfortunately that has been the theme of Edwards’ draft process after injuries sidelined him for the Senior Bowl and combine. But teams know what type of competitor he is after his record-setting career for the Gamecocks.

There’s a lot to digest here, but Brugler essentially has the Giants addressing every major area of need, every secondary area of need and then some in this mock draft.

Kenny Robinson would be the first XFL player drafted in this scenario, while the Giants also land the best kicker — Rodrigo Blankenship — to compete with Aldrick Rosas.

How would you feel about this draft haul, Giants fans?

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Watch: BattleHawks’ Kenny Robinson makes acrobatic interception

Kenny Robinson made a spectacular interception of a Cardale Jones pass in the first quarter for the BattleHawks.

Kenny Robinson is taking a unique route to the NFL Draft. The former West Virginia DB is playing in the XFL for the St. Louis BattleHawks despite being draft-eligible for the 2020 selection process.

He made his second pick of the season Sunday against the DC Defenders and it was spectacular.

Robinson got his hands under the ill-advised pass from Cardale Jones and created the turnover.

The play set up a drive that ended in a field goal that gave the BattleHawks a 3-0 lead.

Why St. Louis’ Kenny Robinson is the most intriguing player in the XFL

Kenny Robinson of the St. Louis Battlehawks is taking a unique route to the NFL Draft

One of the big questions about the new XFL was whether it would go after players who had yet to pass through the NFL Draft. One such player, the St. Louis Battlehawks’ Kenny Robinson, fits the criteria and he has an interesting back story.

Robinson, who just turned 21, attended college at West Virginia. The DB played two seasons for the Mountaineers.

Robinson was dismissed from West Virginia due to a code of conduct violation involving academic fraud and was not in school long enough to gain eligibility for the NFL’s Supplemental Draft. Most players in that position find themselves looking for a place to transfer to another college. Not Robinson.

He was picked by the Battlehawks, 39th overall, in the XFL Draft and decided to follow that route while waiting for the NFL Draft. A key factor in the decision was his mother being diagnosed with cancer.

“It was either go to school or help take care of my family and do what I love,” he told XFL.com. “The XFL is also paying for me to take classes still, so I can take classes and get my degree and take care of my family at the same time.”

Battlehawks coach Jonathan Hayes believes in his young safety.

“He’s athletic. He’s got great range. He’s got great ball skills. He’s a smart kid, understands the game, very instinctive. Those are the things that you dream for with a safety. He’ll come up and put you on the ground.”

BattleHawks coach Jonathan Hayes on S Kenny Robinson

“If we want to put it in perspective, tennis players can turn pro when they’re 15, when they’re ready to do it, and I understand the difference between sports,” Hayes told the website. “In basketball, you can do it at 19.

“If a guy is mature enough and, it’s a case-by-case basis, but if he can do it, he can do it. I would promote staying in school. It’s important and I’ve talked to my son about it, I want him to finish school, but you have a great opportunity so why not take it? The same with Kenny. He has a great opportunity.”

The scouting report on the  6-foot-2, 198-pound Robinson from Hayes is nothing less than stellar.

“I think he’s going to be fabulous,” Hayes said. “I really do. He’s athletic. He’s got great range. He’s got great ball skills. He’s a smart kid, understands the game, very instinctive. Those are the things that you dream for with a safety. He’ll come up and put you on the ground. He’s a very sure tackler.”

Robinson is eligible for the 2020 NFL Draft.