Senior Bowl practice kicked off on Tuesday from Mobile, Alabama.
Among the standouts was Missouri Tigers' defensive lineman Darius Robinson of the American Team. Robinson was a fifth-year senior in 2023 for the Tigers, totaling 21 tackles, 36 quarterback pressures, and eight sacks. He is ranked by many as a top-50 prospect and a mid-to-late second-round pick. Robinson grabbed the attention of many talent evaluators during the first day of Senior Bowl practice.
Missouri’s Darius Robinson has that POWER. (@Darius6Robinson) #TheDraftStartsInMOBILE pic.twitter.com/hDWLprYm6D
— Jackson Gross (@JGrossBucks) January 30, 2024
Robinson shined in both individual and team drills during practice.
Darius Robinson lines up inside and shoots the gap for the TFL pic.twitter.com/0ec3EmYQdI
— Billy M (@BillyM_91) January 31, 2024
Robinson is the prototypical size that Chiefs' defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo likes in a defensive end at 6-foot-4 and 288 pounds. He played defensive tackle early in his collegiate career, giving him the versatility to play outside or inside along the defensive line, which is something Spagnuolo covets. Robinson also plays with tremendous strength and leverage.
Robinson's 35-inch arm length gives him a reach advantage against many offensive linemen. He leaves a little to be desired in quickness and first-step explosion, but he does play with a high-effort motor. With Charles Ominihu likely to be a question mark to begin the 2024 season after recently tearing his ACL, Robinson could be a nice replacement.
With K.C. picking near the end of round two it will be iffy as to whether or not Robinson will be still available, but general manager Brett Veach has shown that he won't hesitate to trade up for a player he likes. It's also possible that Robinson elevates to first-round status. A lot will depend on Omenihu's rehab and what happens with star defensive lineman Chris Jones. If the Chiefs lose Jones, the need for a defensive lineman will shoot up their list of needs.
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