This series was created a number of years ago in response to questions about why certain well-known prospects went unselected in NFL drafts. For these articles, I reach out to sources with NFL teams to find out why their organizations passed on drafting a given player, and/or, what were the reasons for other teams to pass on that prospect. The positive response to “Why Undrafted” and questions from readers about why prospects were drafted lower than the media expectations led us to create the parallel series “Why the Slide?”
Both series are back this year. Feel free to email me requests for Why the Slide? and Why Undrafted? at [email protected]. I can’t promise to get to all of them, but I will do my best and definitely will respond to the email.
During the leadup to the 2021 NFL Draft, Aaron Robinson was considered to be on the bubble between the first two rounds after the Alabama transfer emerged as an excellent cover corner while playing for Central Florida. Robinson had a fabulous 2019 season with the Knights, totaling 54 tackles with three interceptions, 10 passes defended and one forced fumble. The senior then closed out his collegiate career with 41 tackles and six passes defended in 2020. The 6-foot-1, 193-pounder has size to go with speed and fluid athleticism. Many team sources felt he was on the bubble between the first two rounds, so many around the league were surprised to see him slide to the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft.
Team sources said the main concern was Robinson’s trouble with zone coverage. He has problems with his vision and reacting to routes in zone. Scouts felt he suffers from paralysis by analysis when having to diagnosis routes. That could be an issues with receivers coming out of stacked formations, and Robinson’s limitations to being a man-coverage corner only hurt him with some teams.
The Giants ended Robinson’s fall, and they were a superb landing spot for him. They can use Robinson as their third cornerback with James Bradberry and Adoree’ Jackson. Bradberry will draw the No. 1 receiver, and Jackson can slide inside to the slot in the nickel. That will give Robinson the No. 2 outside receiver and a favorable matchup. Not having to line up in the slot will also help disguise Robinson’s diagnosis issues and make things simpler for him. Thanks to having good corners around him, Robinson can rotate and be developed at his own his pace. I think Robinson will eventually become a very good starting corner for the Giants and believes he was one of the steals of the 2021 NFL Draft.
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