A'Shawn Robinson - DT, Alabama

Position: Defensive Tackle
Height: 6'4''
Weight: 312
Year: Junior
Hometown: Fort Worth, Texas
Experience: Jr. - 3 year starter

Measurables:

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Career Notes:

A'Shawn Robinson is a large man that is one of the most versatile prospects in the 2016 NFL Draft.  Playing both sides of the line in high school, Robinson was highly recruited as both an offensive and defensive tackle.  As a five-star recruit, Robinson joined the Crimson Tide of Alabama and contributed immediately.  He played in all 13 games for the Tide his freshman season, making 2 starts.  Robinson played from nearly every spot along the defensive line and was exceptional as a space-eater from the nose tackle position.  He was voted to the coaches Freshman All-SEC team due to his 38 tackles and team-high 5.5 sacks.  As a rotational player mainly utilized to stop the run, Robinson showed great promise and athleticism as a true freshman in 2013.

Robinson had more playing time in his sophomore season, yet his production, especially as a pass rusher (0 sacks in2014), was not as impressive.  In his junior season Robinson bounced back with a consensus All-American season for Nick Saban and the Tide.  A'Shawn Robinson was a key player on the nation's third-ranked defense, amassing 46 total tackles, 7.5 for a loss, and 3.5 sacks as a starter for the Tide.  Robinson finished his college career with 22 tackles for a loss and 9 sacks playing a hybrid defender along the line of scrimmage.  He capped off his career at Alabama with a national championship victory over previously-undefeated Clemson in 2015. 

Robinson is a stocky defender that utilizes strength more than finesse or speed, but he is a mammoth to move at the line of scrimmage.  Robinson's mother had to carry his birth certificate to football practice to prove Robinson was in the correct grade because he was so big from a young age.  This coined the nickname "Man Child" which followed him to Alabama.  There isn't a more fitting name for a player like Robinson that utilizes a thick frame, powerful, long arms, and the strength to dominate interior offensive lineman.  Robinson's ceiling is one of the highest for any prospect in the 2016 NFL Draft and he should be on the fringe of the first round due to his potential in the NFL. 

Injury Report: 

A'Shawn Robinson was fairly healthy throughout his college career and he doesn't have any apparent injuries heading into the pre-draft process.  He suffered a sprained MCL in practice before his sophomore season and sprained his ankle in spring practices in the following offseason.  Those injuries don't appear to have bothered Robinson this past season.

Career Stats: For a full breakdown of A'Shawn Robinson's career statistics, follow the link below:
http://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/ashawn-robinson-1.html

Analysis:

Against the Run: 4.5/5.0: The strength of Robinson's game is his ability to dominate the run game.  He has an above average burst off the ball and engages linemen quickly.  Robinson is able to extend defenders and drive them off the line of scrimmage.  He shows the awareness of when to stalwart and when to disengage his defender.  His strong, stout frame is too much for most offensive linemen to cope with.  Playing from a variety of spots on the line, Robinson was able to wreak havoc on running backs from any position on the field.   

Pass Rush: 2.5/5.0: Robinson has been an enigma as a pass rusher, supplying a ferocious bull rush at times and getting stonewalled at others.  Robinson's power allows him to get penetration on most passing downs.  Offensive lineman are simply not big or strong enough to deal with Robinson's initial punch.  Robinson struggles if his initial force isn't enough to reach the quarterback.  He needs to develop multiple moves when engaging lineman.  Robinson doesn't disengage defenders very well and his pad level is too high when moving in space.  Robinson will be better suited to the interior of the defensive line where his strength and size can cave the pocket making up for his lack of bend on the outside. 

Agility: 3.5/5.0: Robinson has impressive speed for a man his size.  He lost weight going into his junior season and his speed on the field showed.  Robinson has great acceleration in open space to chase the play and he's quick to engage at the line of scrimmage.  Robinson struggles with his agility when rushing the passer.  He doesn't show much lateral movement when engaged in the pocket.  He will need to improve both his lateral and vertical footwork to play in the NFL.  Robinson plays too high when moving in space and doesn't swim around defenders well enough.

Impact Play Ability: 2.5/5.0: Playing the 0 technique nose tackle position is not a celebrated position.  Robinson was asked to two-gap and occupy blockers while Alabama's linebackers were granted the opportunities to make plays.  Robinson doesn't play with the physical tenacity you might wish to see from a man his size.  He can be caught taking plays off or giving up on a move too early.  That being said, his power to shed blockers in the run game allows him to make tackles in the backfield, he is able to collapse the pocket with an interior bull rush, and he has the awareness to jump and swat balls on passing downs. 

Summary: A'Shawn Robinson has many traits that NFL coaches would love to mold.  He needs to refine his technique as a pass rusher and improve his footwork when disengaging blockers.  His power at the line of scrimmage is NFL-caliber and he will be a force in the run game from day one.  Robinson shows the athleticism to become a wrecking ball on the inside and his size/strength combination is perfect for many positions along the defensive line. 

Overall Grade: 3.5/5.0  

If drafted by the Packers:

Apart from stalwart defensive end Mike Daniels, the Packers have few players along the defensive line that strike fear into opposing offensive coordinators.  The signing of Letroy Guion to a 3-year extension creates uncertainty for B.J. Raji's future with the Packers.  Raji is the superior player and has not had the off-field issues that Guion poses.  As the roster stands now, Guion will most likely be manning the nose tackle position for the Packers in 2016.  With Datone Jones continually flashing dominant ability without consistency and reports that fellow defensive end Mike Pennel will be suspended the first 4 games of 2016 for violating the league's substance abuse policy, the Packers will have some work to do along the defensive line this offseason.

Although Guion gained an extension to man the nose tackle position, it appears he is still on thin ice with the coaching staff.  Only $500,000 of Guion's contract is guaranteed meaning one slip-up or better talent could lead to a release.  A'Shawn Robinson would the type of talent to move Guion down the depth chart, almost certainly starting at nose tackle from day 1 in the Packers' 3-4 defense.  Robinson's ability to play multiple spots along the defensive line is key for Dom Caper's hybrid defensive schemes.  Guion could possibly man one of the other end positions and rotate with Datone Jones while Robinson becomes a mainstay at nose tackle, or vice versa. 

Robinson brings a large, strong man to the Packers defensive line, an intimidating force that the Packers haven't found since Cullen Jenkins.  Regardless of where he played in base defense, Robinson could utilize his brute force and power anywhere along the line.  If the Packers can teach Robinson how to effectively use his hands and manipulate blockers in pass protection, he could become a mainstay on the line for years to come.  With Jones's contract to expire after the 2016 season, the Packers desperately need new faces along the defensive line. 

Robinson could be a very likely target for the Packers in the first round.  He is projected near the end of the first or first half of the second round, so the Packers would most likely have to jump on him early.  With several other major holes to fill with instant playmakers such as at tight end and inside linebacker, the Packers may head a different direction in the first round due to the depth of D-line prospects this year.  But if Ted Thompson chooses to shore up the interior of his defensive line, the Packers run defense would almost certainly increase from past seasons.  Almost always viewed as the Packers Achilles heel, there must be youth and talent along the defensive line in order to improve upon the league's 21st-ranked run defense in 2015.  A'Shawn Robinson could be the stocky powerful nose tackle with the ability to dominate the run game that the Pack have been missing for several seasons.   

Video: Full game breakdown of A'Shawn Robinson against the LSU Tigers.