Cornerback Ellis Robinson IV Up and Down in 2025

Georgia cornerback Ellis Robinson IV has some desirable traits.

He has good straight-line speed, aggressiveness, and he has long arms.

He is also highly regarded⎯

Robinson was a five-star recruit coming out of high school, and he’s on the first-round radar in the 2027 NFL Draft for several platforms.

That’s where I first heard his name.

Draftwire, Pro Football Network, Athlon Sports, CBS Sports, Sports Illustrated, USA Today, Sporting News, Fox Sports, USA Today, The Athletic, and ESPN have all mocked Robinson into the first round since the beginning of September (NFL Mock Draft Database).

So I turned on his tape and studied every one of his plays during the 2025 season.

What did I think?

Umm….

No doubt⎯

Robinson is talented.

But the devil is in the details.

This is why I’ve fallen in love with my new evaluating process a couple of draft cycles ago. That’s when I began focusing on studying every play a prospect plays in for a season or two, sometimes even three, before they get selected in the NFL.

Doing so just provides additional perspective.

What are some more of the positives Robinson shows in pass coverage?

• Has a physical edge to him
• Can jam
• Pretty backpedal (fast and quiet feet)
• Good get-up and go
• Kept up on vertical routes
• Understands the art of leverage
• Nose for the ball
• Shows some emotion
• Short-term memory

Whether it was press-man or off-man coverage, Robinson “looks the part” most of the time covering straight-line routes (vertical and horizontal crossing routes). Press-man coverage is when a cornerback is like a receiver’s shadow. He comes right up on the receiver pre-snap and attempts to match him step-for-step. Everywhere the receiver goes, the corner follows. In off-man coverage, it’s the same concept where a cornerback is one-on-one with the receiver; the only difference is the cornerback lines up a few yards off the receiver pre-snap.

What are the biggest negatives?

His timing and technique are not dependable.

Robinson is too slow reacting to unanticipated moves by receivers and on routes featuring breakpoints. That’s where receivers got him.

The other thing⎯

He didn’t always get his head turned around to look back for the ball on deeper vertical routes.

Didn’t feel like Georgia’s coaches had a lot of confidence in him

In some critical moments of games, Robinson wasn’t out there.

The regular season matchup against Tennessee was rough. I wasn’t thrilled with him in the earlier games against Alabama, Kentucky, or Ole Miss either. Per Pro Football Focus (PFF), he also drew five penalties in 2025.

I felt he “got better” as the season progressed, but teams identified and picked on his weaknesses, especially Ole Miss in the playoffs.

NFL developmental grade

At this point in Robinson’s evaluation, he still has room to grow in the finer points of the cornerback position.

Not only that-

But NFL receivers are only faster and more polished.

#1 Ellis Robinson IV 6-foot-0, 180 pounds

Daniel Kelly’s 2026 Fall Grade: Third-Round (I wouldn’t select him)

Projected by NFL Mock Draft Database to be a First-Round prospect as of October 2, 2026

2025 game film evaluated: Marshall, Austin Peay, Tennessee, Alabama, Kentucky, Auburn, Ole Miss, Florida, Mississippi State, Texas, Charlotte, Georgia Tech, Alabama, and Ole Miss (click to view games watched to form this evaluation)

Seven passes defended and four interceptions in 2025

PFF: Allowed 15 catches on 35 targets (42.9%)

2027 NFL Draft Scouting Report

Tough and aggressive prospect who needs to put it all together. Good pre-snap form. Looks textbook when he’s not targeted. Best suited for an off-man scheme in the NFL. Mixes it up with receivers. Seemed a little lost in zone coverage. Energetic. Alert. Sometimes keeps an eye on the backfield. Makes some bone-jarring hits in support.

What to watch for during the 2026 college football season

1. How does he look on routes with unexpected moves and breakpoints?

2. How does his timing in coverage look?

3. Getting flagged?

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, and has written for Sports Illustrated (Lions, Jets, and 49ers), NFL Draft Diamonds, and Yardbarker, as well as appearing as a guest on ESPN Radio, Fox Sports Radio, and Fearless with Jason Whitlock. Featured in USA Today. For more information, visit whateverittakesbook.com. Follow on Twitter @firstroundmock.