Janarius Robinson NFL Draft Overview
Position: Edge Defender
Height: 6’-5”
Weight: 260 pounds
School: Florida State
Janarius Robinson 2021 NFL Draft Profile
Robinson is a classic case of a dominant player on paper, but where was the production in college? His draft stock is trending upwards as there seems to be a consensus among scouts that Robinson could be a better pro than he was a college player. Perhaps because of the impressive measurables and athletic profile of the Florida State edge rusher. However, a poor senior bowl week ensured we likely won’t hear his name called until day three of the draft.
In high school, Robinson graded as a top-10 defensive end nationally out of Bay High School in Panama City, Florida. After offers from many Power-5 schools, Robinson chose to stay close to home and committed to Florida State in 2016. The defensive end was handed a redshirt year as a freshman.
Robinson played sparingly as a redshirt freshman, making only four total tackles and one sack in three games played. He made more of an impact in his second playing season as Robinson recorded 27 total tackles in 2017. As a junior, Robinson played a bigger role in the Seminoles defense. He racked up 48 total tackles and three sacks in 13 games. In nine starts as a senior, Robinson led the team in sacks (three) and ranked second in tackles for loss (seven).
Strengths:
- Good size to play edge in the NFL – impressive frame;
- Long arms (86-inch wingspan) and large hands to control blocks;
- Improved every year as a starter;
- Athletic – has good short-area quickness that tests well in drills;
- Strong – is a powerful striker when gets his hands inside a blocker, can overpower blockers with ease when his technique is right.
Weaknesses:
- A lot of flash plays – needs to be consistent;
- The motor has been questioned;
- A lot of missed tackles in college – backs slip out of his arm tackles;
- The technique is inconsistent – gets too high with his pad level when he’s trying to read the backfield;
- The production was never superstar level – even as a redshirt senior he was solid starter level.
NFL Comparison: Mario Addison
Teams With Need at Position: Miami Dolphins, New York Giants, New York Jets, Baltimore Ravens, Minnesota Vikings, Buffalo Bills
Projection: Day Three Pick
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Bottom Line on Janarius Robinson:
The physical traits and some flash plays in college will entice NFL teams looking for some pass rush help. Robinson is definitely one of the guys to circle on Day Three of the draft. He offers good value from that point, based on the athletic profile and starting experience. Robinson could be asked to stand up on the edge, but he often put his hand in the dirt for Florida State and has the size and strength to set the edge when his technique is consistent.
However, a lack of overall production in college is an obvious red flag. Eight career sacks in 34 games simply aren’t early-round numbers. The motor has come into question a lot as Robinson disappears from games often for multiple series on tape. Inconsistency was one of his biggest weaknesses. One week Robinson would look like a superstar, the next he’d barely get in the box score.
Overall, Robinson did improve every season in college. His 2020 season was the best among a group of Florida State edge rushers who scouts expected much more from. He has the physical traits to play in the league but his technique needs coaching up and the consistency has to improve if he’s to get on the field as a rookie.
Main Photo:
Embed from Getty Images
