Weaknesses:
Summary: A year ago, BYU defensive end Ezekiel Ansah came out of nowhere to be a top-five pick in the 2013 NFL Draft. The similar prospect for the 2014 NFL Draft is Robinson. Heading into the 2013 season Robinson wasn’t discussed as a top offensive tackle prospect with Jake Matthews and Taylor Lewan. Less than a year later, Robinson should be drafted ahead of both Matthews and Lewan thanks to a tremendous 2013 season.
Robinson broke into the starting lineup in 2012. Aside from being benched against Alabama A&M, he had a solid debut. Auburn had a rough year, but Robinson did well leading the running game for halfback Tre Mason.
In his final collegiate season, Robinson became a dominant player and was a First-Team All-SEC selection. The redshirt sophomore opened up a ton of holes for Mason and quarterback Nick Marshall. Robinson did well in pass protection, though Auburn mainly kept the ball in the hands of one of its backs.
Robinson finished his collegiate career in impressive fashion as he had his way with Alabama, Missouri and Florida State. Auburn had a ton of success running behind Robinson, and the Tigers’ ground game carried them to the National Championship. If the defense had played better, Auburn would have won the title.
Robinson declared for the 2014 NFL Draft following the season. He put on a display at the NFL Scouting Combine withan extremely rare combination of size, strength and athletic ability. Robinson (6-5, 332) was the star of the offensive linemen during the Combine. He ran an amazing time in the 40 of 4.92 seconds with a 10-yard split of 1.68. In the field drills, Robinson showed his ability to bend with fluid hips. He also excelled in the bench press. With Robinson’s size, speed, length and strength, there is no doubt that he is a rare athlete.
In the ground game, Robinson is a beast. He is so quick and explosive out of his stance to engage linemen. When Robinson gets his hands on a defender in the run game, he is absolutely dominant. His ability to sustain the block and ride defenders out of the play is tremendous. Many left tackles in the NFL are weak in the ground game, but that isn’t the case with Robinson.
Robinson is still somewhat raw in pass blocking. Auburn didn’t pass the ball a lot as the team kept the ball on the ground in its spread-option run offense. Robinson has a great quickness, feet and length to be able to negate speed rushers around the corner. He also is too strong to bull rush. Robinson needs some development with his technique, but he has the skill set to be a dominant pass-protector as a pro.
For the NFL, Robinson is a franchise left tackle. It may help him in the beginning to bring him along slowly. Depending on the team that drafts him, he could start out at guard or right tackle before eventually taking over at left tackle. Robinson is highly likely to be a top-five pick.
Player Comparison: Tyron Smith. Robinson’s game is similar to Smith. Both of them are extremely quick and athletic. They also are strong to get movement in the ground game. Smith (6-5, 318) is a little bit smaller than Robinson, while Smith entered the NFL as a more polished prospect. Robinson could easily turn into a Pro Bowl left tackle like Smith.
NFL Matches: St. Louis, Cleveland, Oakland, Atlanta, Tampa Bay, Buffalo
There are a number of landing spots for Robinson in the top 10. The highest that Robinson could hope to go would be to the Rams at No. 2 overall. Many are projecting him to St. Louis with the second-overall pick. The Rams could consider him to be the future placement for Jake Long. Considering all of Long’s injury issues, St. Louis could start out Robinson at guard or right tackle in a critical year for Sam Bradford.
Cleveland could use an improvement at right tackle. If Joe Thomas gets too pricey, the Browns would have their long-term left tackle in house with Robinson.
Oakland signed Donald Penn, but he is just a temporary solution at left tackle. Last year, the Raiders were going to draft Luke Joeckel or Eric Fisher if either fell to the third pick. Oakland feels offensive linemen are safer picks. Robinson and Menelik Watson could give the Raiders long-term bookends. However after signing Penn, it seems more likely that Oakland would target a different position.
The Falcons could easily take Robinson with the sixth pick. Sam Baker hasn’t been reliable, and they have to improve their offensive line. Robinson would also help fulfill Atlanta’s goal of getting more physical up front.
The Buccaneers moved on from Penn and signed Anthony Collins, but the team still could use help on the inside. Tampa Bay could draft Robinson and start him out at guard and move Collins to the inside when Robinson is ready for left tackle. In the long term, Robinson would settle left tackle for the Bucs.
Buffalo could use a right tackle to pair with Cordy Glenn, but Robinson has little to no shot of lasting to the ninth pick.
RELATED LINKS:
2014 NFL Mock Draft: Charlie’s | Walt’s
2014 NFL Draft Prospect Rankings
2014 NFL Draft Scouting Reports
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