Darius Robinson ‘A BIGGER GREG LLOYD’

While evaluating Missouri defender Darius Robinson on game film, that’s the first name that popped into my mind as a ‘comp.’

Greg Lloyd.

He was one of the most revered defenders in the NFL from 1988-1998 and he played at 6-foot-2, 228 pounds. Lloyd went sixth round (1987) out of Fort Valley State. I’ll never forget seeing the sign that said, “AVOID LLOYD.”

Also ⎯when I use the word ‘defender,’ to describe Robinson, I use the term loosely because Robinson lined up about every which way. On the 2022 game film, he was in the defensive line rotation at defensive tackle, but then in 2023, he lined up at defensive end with his hand down in the dirt and also standing upright.

That’s when the comp hit me.

Despite other names of other former defenders going through my mind during my film study (Sean Jones, Cylde Simmons, Kenard Lang, and DeMarcus Lawrence), I liked Robinson best as a stand-up rush linebacker in a 3-4 defense (three down defensive linemen and four linebackers).

Why?

Despite flashes of going into ‘beast mode,’ he wasn’t making enough high-impact plays in his fuller body of work (2+2=5).

Then I saw this…

What did they say about Robinson coming out of high school?

I about fell off the bed…

This is the screenshot of the official recruiting write-up by 247Sports.

Holy footballs!

That is exactly what Robinson looked like on game film in these ten college games (listed with link evidence below).

Despite playing five seasons at Missouri (2019-2023), he looked identical to what he looked like coming out of high school. He looked just as raw.

That takes the variable of inexperience out of the equation.

In what ways did he look the same?

My biggest contention with Robinson (despite how much I love him) is he played at too high of a pad level and had trouble disengaging from blockers in pass rush and run-defending situations.

That is exactly what the issue was in that 247Sports write-up.

Listen, Robinson looked like a man amongst boys on the football field. He even threw his weight around against Georgia. The dude looked like Evander Holyfield in his prime. His arms look like two steel-tipped metal clubs.

I LOVE ALL THAT.

Robinson repeatedly visibly jolted the big boys at the initial point of attack and extended and locked out his arms to create separation.

You don’t see that every day.

But, then too many times that’s where the show ended, which drops him into the highest ‘developmental round.’

NFL crystal ball

While there’s debate if he should play defensive end or inside at tackle in a 4-3 (four down defensive linemen and three linebackers) or in a 3-4, I circle back to 3-4 rush linebacker.

I say ‘developmental’ based on the average weight of linebackers in the NFL.

I believe Robinson can contribute immediately, but ideally, he trims down some, which will make him faster. He doesn’t have enough bend and lacks technique to star on the defensive line ⎯then and now.

#6 Darius Robinson 6-foot-5, 296 pounds

Daniel Kelly’s 2024 NFL Draft Grade: Third-Round (I would select him)

Projected by 11.8% of the NFL Draft Community to be a first-round pick as of February 25, 2024 (nflmockdraftdatabase.com)

2022 game film reviewed: Georgia, Auburn, Kansas State (click to view games watched to form this evaluation)

2023 game film reviewed: Georgia, Tennessee, LSU, Kansas State, South Carolina, Kentucky and Ohio State

Reese’s Senior Bowl (2024) film footage reviewed

2024 stats: 43 tackles (29 solo), 14 assists, 8.5 sacks, 27 pressures and 1 forced fumble

2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report

A raw physical wrecking ball. Back arched in 4-3 down alignment. Long arms. Top attribute is his awesome strength. Violent nature. Loves collisions. Active. Loves hand-to-hand combat. Double-teamed often. Trouble disengaging on direct edge. Needs space created. Blockers dictate too often. Once free, closes hard with a big and disruptive presence. No short area burst. Above-average pocket adjustments. Solid effort, but shows he has more in the tank. Adequate run defense. Questionable run instincts. Plays angles mostly half-speed outside.

Final words

Robinson is quarterback-minded.

Daniel Kelly is a former NFL Scout with the New York Jets. He was hired on the regime which featured Bill Parcells, Bill Belichick, Scott Pioli, Mike Tannenbaum, and Dick Haley. He is currently the Editor-in-Chief for First Round Mock, contributes at Yardbarker, and has written for Sports Illustrated Lions, Jets, and 49ers, as well as a featured guest on ESPN Radio and Fox Sports Radio. For more information about him visit his website at whateverittakesbook.com. He can be followed on Twitter @firstroundmock.