Prospect Profile: Darius Robinson, EDGE, Missouri

Context

Played mostly 3 technique prior to Senior year when he moved outside; he now plays mostly as a 7 technique but with some time as a 5 or 4i.

Pass Rush

He has a good get-off for his size and is an explosive athlete, gaining ground quickly as a pass-rusher from all the different alignments he plays. He keys the ball well and it doesn’t matter down or distance. He’s quicker to get off the closer he is to the ball in his alignment, but even from wide of the formation, he’s good off the mark.

When he gets to the Offensive Lineman to engage, he utilizes his remarkably good hand usage and play strength to win consistently as a pass rusher. He has a solid pass rush plan, and you can see him set up different moves off successful moves he makes earlier in the game. Down-to-down he has a good plan to win the rep. You’d like to see him more consistently attack weaknesses across a game but this is development he can do at the next level, and he only played outside in his final year at Mizzou. He has a good variety of moves at his disposal – his straight power to the chest bull rush move is hard to stop, OL with very good play strength can re-anchor and compete but they will lose their fair share of reps too, given the counters he can make when an OL does reset successfully. Off this bull rush he works an impressive push-pull move where he completely controls the shoulder of the blocker and turns him to open the gate to the QB. The reason these moves are successful consistently is the placement and timing from his hand usage. Once they’re on, he can work them with power and violence to disengage.

He also has an effective club-swim and cross-chop move. When he gets to the edge, even against athletic OTs, he shows his loose hips and turns the corner to the QB. His club swim is most often used as an inside move that he can then work off to make successful outside moves. He has outstanding foot speed and change of direction for his size, and he marries this well with his hands. He does have a jump chop which can backfire on him because all his power comes from his outstanding leverage, which he gives up when he takes off. He will harass all types of QB and his athleticism and relentless motor mean he is able to sack all types of QB too. 

Vs Run

As a run defender he is a work in progress. Against reach blocks and backside cut-off blocks, he is more than capable of deploying his explosive ability and speed to get into the backfield and into the runner’s path. He’s an excellent backside defender with good pursuit and a good motor. He can beat Offensive Linemen to the punch and they don’t get a chance to get his hands on them. When facing Duo or Inside Zone, he can set a hard edge. He does have accurate hands and can squeeze his gap through locking out to gain leverage. He’s able to adjust his aiming point based on the pad level of the Offensive Lineman and he has good play strength in this situation as he can keep his feet moving. When he’s play-side against Outside Zone, or facing pullers coming at him on a Gap run, the outcome is less consistent as he is not able to set as powerful an edge when is more circumspect. He can’t afford to attack as he has to be more patient and it compromises his play strength. He can work through the trash and often plays standing up so can make plays against ball carriers all over the field.

SUMMARY
Remarkable hand usage and play strength. Big, long and strong with more than solid athleticism and an already good array of rush moves makes him a starter on the edge with high potential

PRODUCTION
SR:9 Sacks, 6 QB hits, 29 Total Tackles, 1 FF
JR:  3 Sacks, 6 QB hits, 21 total tackles
INJURY: Calf Strain (SR)

RAVENS FIT
Athleticism 4
Intelligence 4
Versatility 5
Grit 5
Scheme 5