Here’s to you, Mr. Robinson

Cardinals pick at #27, Missouri DE Darius Robinson, is drawing post-draft buzz per ESPN

In today’s “Draft Confidential” article on ESPN, the Cardinals’ DE Darius Robinson is one of their featured players.

NFL draft confidential: College coaches’ surprises, sleepers – ESPN

Per ESPN Senior writer Adam Rittenberg:

The end of the draft’s first round generated interest because of who heard their names called — and who did not. The final six picks began with a rare defensive selection in Missouri lineman Darius Robinson, who fought injuries for chunks of his career and delivered a breakout final season in 2023 with 8.5 sacks and 14 tackles for loss. He was picked at No. 27 by the Arizona Cardinals.

“I’m glad he showed out at the Senior Bowl because I saw it in person,” an SEC coordinator said. “He’s strong, he’s violent, he’s twitchy. He’s what you look for in an NFL D-tackle.”

Added another SEC coordinator: “He’s an all-around player: Pass-rusher but heavy-handed, can play the run, do a lot of different things, more athletic than you think, great size, good player. He can’t play the 3-technique, but he can play 4 [technique].”

Monti Ossenfort has been saying to the Arizona media that he inquired with several teams about trading up from pick #27 but the price to move up was too high.

ROTB Poll:

What about Jer’Zhan Newton?

Adam Rittenberg continues:

Illinois defensive tackle Jer’Zhan Newton was a two-time AP All-America selection, a consensus All-American in 2023, the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year and a Nagurski Trophy finalist.

“Everybody thought he was going to be a first-rounder,” a Big Ten coordinator said.

But Newton had to wait until the second round, when Washington drafted him 36th overall.

“When he [gave full effort], he was unblockable,” a Big Ten coach said. “His problem is, it’s on and off. He’s not consistent with his effort, and at that level, if you want to be a first-rounder, you better be a freakazoid or relentless effort. But when we watched his film, we were like, ‘If he’s going to play hard the whole game, I don’t think we can block this guy.’”

Commentary

Interesting take from the anonymous Big Ten coach about Jer’Zhan Newton having a hot and cold motor. Contradicts PPF’s claim that he goes full-bore every play.

To me and other draft analysts, defensive tackles are the most difficult players to evaluate. The best and most talented defensive tackles make about 3-4 splash plays a game. If a defensive tackle is “unblockable” when his motor is high, he’s worth a first-round pick.

Therefore, I believe that what caused JZN to slide to pick #36 (one pick after the Cardinals’ original #35 pick) are the concerns about his smaller than preferred size (6-1, 304, 32.4” arms) and, perhaps, even more so, the Jones fracture in his foot, that could be a recurring issue.

I believe that both Darius Robinson and Jer’Zhan Newton are coming into the NFL into very good situations.

Darius is a superb fit size-wise (6’5”, 275, near 35” arms) and demeanor-wise for the Cardinals 34 DE position that was once a strength when the team had the likes of Darnell Dockett, Calais Campbell and JJ Watt.

Photo by Jeff Moreland/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

In Washington, Jer’Zhan, as a rookie, will likely be used by Dan Quinn as a designated interior pass rusher when they want to give outstanding starters Daron Payne and Jonathan Allen a breather.

Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Interesting Take:

What Isaiah Adams and Tip Reiman will say about blocking Darius Robinson in practice as opposed to their former All-American Illinois teammate Jer’Zhan Newton.

ROTB Questions of the Day:

• What are your thoughts about the Cardinals selecting Darius Robinson over Jer’Zhan Newton?
• How did you vote in the poll and why?