What Round for Denard Robinson at RB? - Page 3

JoeJoeBrown · 01-03-2013, 10:12 AM

Robinson is fast, quick, and powerful. He will be an excellent NFL RB. I want to thank UM for wasting his talents all of these years.

y.f.s. · 01-03-2013, 11:22 AM

If he can develop decently in protection and ease him into all the responsibilities, I don't see why he can't be the next Chris Johnson/Jamal Charles type runner.

Witten4HOF · 01-03-2013, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by y.f.s.

If he can develop decently in protection and ease him into all the responsibilities, I don't see why he can't be the next Chris Johnson/Jamal Charles type runner.

I am really glad you edited that from your original post of he is pretty much Chris Johnson. CJ has proved that he can carry the rock 300 times a season and not get knocked out 3 games a season.

Athletically he is blessed and can certainly carve himself a roll on offense but I don't know if he will ever be a feature back in this league. If he develops hands he would be a nightmare to keep track of and to match personel.

I think he starts out at RB for sure maybe some wildcat and slowly gets more burn as he develops. Someone will get him in the late second round and will be very happen once the investment pays off. For everyones sake I hope it isn't th Patriots or Saints that find room on their rosters.

bengalbuck · 01-03-2013, 11:41 AM

I think he's probably a 3rd rounder. Somewhat comparable to a guy like Ronnie Hillman who was one of the fastest RBs at the combine and had great college production. Hillman was a much more natural pass catcher though.

I'd be a bit scared of drafting him because he has an incredibly long way to go in pass protection, which has kept many, many talented runners on NFL benches. Again look at Ronnie Hillman as a comparison.

Now if he goes out at the combine and catches the ball well and runs a sub 4.4, then he becomes even more intriguing.

It's just scary because so many of these QB conversions have been busts. Guys like Reggie McNeal, Eric Crouch, Pat White, Armanti Edwards, Matt Jones, etc.

Armchair Scout · 01-03-2013, 12:06 PM

I think Robinson definitely projects as a RB who could develop as a return specialist. As a running QB, Robinson was asked to make many of the same reads that running backs do. His time at Michigan did prepare him for running the ball in the NFL. Where Robinson may struggle is pass protecting. He didn't look good protecting his QB in the Outback Bowl, so that is a part of his game he will likely need to work on. He also is unproven as a receiver out of the backfield.

As many people mention, Robinson does run a bit upright for a RB and is a little on the thin side, although he clearly does have the size/strength to play RB. I think his running style will afford him success in the NFL, but not necessarily as an everydown back. He has nice open field ability and does show surprising physicality as a runner, but he doesn't show the short-area quickness and vision some other speed backs do. He is better in the open field than between the tackles. Still, I think he could have success, especially for a zone-blocking team.

I see him potentially making an impact in the return game because his running style is very much like many of the elite kick returners. He does a nice job setting up his blocks and accelerating downfield. His open field running ability is clearly special.

Overall, I like him and see him as an early third rounder. I would prefer Kenjon Barner over him, though, if given the choice.

mightytitan9 · 01-03-2013, 12:11 PM

I'll say 4th-5th round

AcheTen · 01-03-2013, 12:12 PM

I wouldn't draft him higher than the 3rd round.

Then again, I would never draft any RB higher than the 3rd round.

katnip · 01-03-2013, 12:27 PM

6th rounder

brasho · 01-03-2013, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigbuc

He is a RB. That's what he's been playing the last 4 games.

He'll be whatever position a team wants him to play. He isn't exactly in a position to tell teams what he's going to be. If he's drafted as a CB, guess what position he'll be played in...

Personally, if I'm an NFL team, I don't want my 190 lber constantly banging it inside and getting the poop kicked out of him. I want him out in space, like in the slot or running occasional reverses or pitches and patterns out of the backfield.

brasho · 01-03-2013, 01:02 PM

I'm saying 3rd round because he's a Devin Hester kind of positionless player only kick returners don't hold the same value anymore so the 2nd round is probably not likely unless he blows up the Senior Bowl.

gpngc · 01-09-2013, 03:56 PM

He's playing WR at the Senior Bowl.

I don't see him as a RB. He just doesn't have the body/running style of an NFL back and I think it's easier to learn how to run routes than it is to pass protect.

Plus, I don't see any reason why he wouldn't thrive as a WR. He's got the skill-set to be the next Randle El assuming he can catch (and seeing as he's ALWAYS been the best athlete on the field at every level, I'm going to assume he has average hands at absolute worst).

Maybe I'm wrong.

Caulibflower · 01-09-2013, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gpngc

He's playing WR at the Senior Bowl.

I don't see him as a RB. He just doesn't have the body/running style of an NFL back and I think it's easier to learn how to run routes than it is to pass protect.

Plus, I don't see any reason why he wouldn't thrive as a WR. He's got the skill-set to be the next Randle El assuming he can catch (and seeing as he's ALWAYS been the best athlete on the field at every level, I'm going to assume he has average hands at absolute worst).

Maybe I'm wrong.

I can see him being a way better version of Dexter McCluster.

bornnraisedwhodat · 01-09-2013, 04:29 PM

He'd be an awesome utility player, similar to Tavaris Cadet with the Saints. RB/WR/KR/PR. Catch some quick screens, slants, and the guy could do damage. I doubt he goes higher than the 3rd though. Would be a good pickup for the Vikings if they chose to let Harvin go. I could see team like NE drafting him and doing damage also.

BallerT1215 · 01-09-2013, 06:12 PM

3rd Round is worth it for his world class speed

bigbuc · 01-09-2013, 08:00 PM

If he shows off his hands then I could see him being a second round pick. A little WR a little RB and all kick returner. Nice player

nepg · 01-09-2013, 09:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fishspinners

Robinson is a Fullback right now bub.

I never said he wasn't a FB (which is a RB...fyi). He started as a tailback and sucked at it.

Dependent on a solid Senior Bowl, I'd take Denard as early as the middle of the third round as a WR. The conversion just has a good history of working, and he's incredibly athletic.

bruschis4all · 01-10-2013, 05:27 AM

Gil Brandt tweeted that he things Denard's best pro position is CB. Certainly has the speed and agility. Interesting thought.

PossibleCabbage · 01-10-2013, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bruschis4all

Gil Brandt tweeted that he things Denard's best pro position is CB. Certainly has the speed and agility. Interesting thought.

IMO, it's a terrible idea. Cornerback is one of the most technical and demanding positions in all of football, and his Michigan career has already shown that Robinson struggled with the technique and recognition parts of playing quarterback.

Just make him an RB/WR/KR/PR and let him run around in space, that's what he's good at.

Saints-Tigers · 01-10-2013, 03:06 PM

No reason to have him doing anything other than running the ball. He'd make a nice "wildcat" sort of pick, because he's actually useful in conventional packages and could do the occasional trick play too.

If he were there in the late second or 3rd, I'd be happy with the pick, but I'm sure he'd sit out a lot of plays while Mark Ingram gets his "tough" 3 yard carries while more dynamic backs ride pine.