Penn State Nittany Lions wide receiver Allen Robinson (8) makes a one handed catch prior to the game against the Purdue Boilermakers at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports
Penn State Nittany Lions wide receiver Allen Robinson had an excellent junior campaign with Christian Hackenberg at the helm, and Robinson is set to be a second-round pick in the 2014 NFL Draft. There was already much speculating that Robinson would ultimately declare for the NFL Draft, irrelevant of whether or not Bill O’Brien decided to stay as the Penn State head coach. According to PennLive.com’s Greg Pickel, the Nittany Lions announced that Robinson has decided to forego his senior year and will enter the draft.
While I’ve seen Robinson selected in the first round in some mock drafts, it is far more likely for Robinson to be picked one round later. He’s certainly deserving of a second round selection, because he has the athleticism to make excellent catches and is a very good route-runner. I’ve seen him make savvy cuts that are commonplace among top NFL wideouts, and he does a great job of using every bit of his speed and quickness to gain separation. This is a guy who is pro-ready, and I don’t think there would be any point in him staying in college for one more year.
He isn’t Sammy Watkins or Mike Evans, but I think Robinson will be a good receiver in the pros. He seems to do just about everything well, and that makes up for the fact that he isn’t amazing in any one attribute. You don’t have to be the best route-runner or have the best hands or be the most athletic, if you are like Robinson and you are good at pretty much everything at the position, then you have a bright future ahead of you.
Robinson finished his junior year with an astounding 97 receptions for 1,432 yards and six touchdowns, and I wouldn’t be shocked if he ended up being selected in the late first-round. While that isn’t likely, I wouldn’t rule it out at all.