Brian Robinson NFL Draft Overview
Position: Running back
Height: 6’-2”
Weight: 225 lbs.
School: Alabama
Brian Robinson NFL Draft Profile
Brian Robinson enters the NFL Draft after taking a fifth-year at Alabama under the COVID-19 exemption rule. The fifth-year served Robinson, as he finally got a chance to start after playing behind a litany of all-star Alabama backs. He rushed 271 times for 1,343 yards and 14 touchdowns. He also caught 35 passes for 256 yards and two touchdowns.
Robinson stands at a sizeable 6’2” and 225lbs, using all of his form in the running game. He heads into contact with a quick first-step burst. He also has the agility to work around defenders in the backfield and reach the second-level. Yet, Robinson loves to run with power, which occasionally puts him in the face of more defenders than he needs to meet. There is a chance the right team finds him who can turn him into a powerful force in a committee backfield.
Strengths
- Incredible power and willingness to confront defenders
- Has the ability to meet the strength of NFL defenders
- Quick feet and usable in the screen game
- Precise blocking fundamentals
- Reaches the second-level quicker than most ‘power’ backs
Weaknesses
- Runs into defenders too often
- Cannot adjust in the secondary
- Receiving abilities limited to screens
- Indecisive and poor vision
- Unlikely to serve as a number one back
NFL Comparison: Arian Foster
Teams With Need at Position: Seattle Seahawks, New Orleans Saints, Denver Broncos, Tennessee Titans, New York Giants
Projection: Round 3
Bottom Line on Brian Robinson
Brian Robinson carries little wear into his NFL career, having served as the backup in a star-studded Alabama backfield. The most obvious knock against larger running backs is durability due to sustained usage in college; Robinson does not carry that. Moreover, his one-cut running and limited vision may be in large part due to his sustained role as a backup. He served as a starter for one season, and thus can likely learn more in the NFL serving in a backfield crew. Optimistically, Robinson is a toolbox waiting for the right mechanic to unlock and the tools.
However, Robinson may just be a committee member. His one-cut running and limited vision may not evolve. Yet, stating that he is ‘only’ a committee back suggests that Robinson has a high-floor. He has the ability to make an impact year-one and benefit whomever drafts him. The largest question for Robinson is how much a team can help him evolve. His college game showed signs of ability to convert to an outside runner who can explode on secondaries. While Robinson may not be a scorcher, but he can meet and bowl over the first-wave of defenders.
A team is likely to take Robinson in the middle of round three due to his high-floor. He contains all the fundamentals needed to make an immediate contribution. However, teams may overlook his outside running potential and acquire more explosive, quicker backs, depending on their team needs.
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