Detroit Lions: A’Shawn Robinson preparing for big season

The Detroit Lions will need a significant contribution from A’Shawn Robinson in order to make a 2017 playoff run, and the sophomore is up for the challenge.

When the Detroit Lions selected A’Shawn Robinson with the 46th overall pick of the 2016 NFL Draft, there was a certain sense of excitement around the organization. For a franchise that had sought to solidify the interior defensive line ever since the free agent departure of Ndamukong Suh, it was a rare circumstance where need and value beautifully meshed together.

After a successful and productive college career, some pundits projected the former Alabama star to be taken in the first round when draft day rolled around. Ultimately, that didn’t happen, but when the Lions scooped him up in the middle of Round 2, it looked like an incredible value pick.

As a rookie, Robinson played a role in the team’s defensive line rotation and flashed ability at times, starting five games and accumulating 22 tackles and two sacks. While he didn’t dominate by any stretch of the imagination, he put enough quality play on tape to indicate that he has a bright future as a professional.

In fact, the most impressive aspect of Robinson’s rookie campaign was the fact that he led all NFL interior defenders with seven passes batted at the line of scrimmage.

No interior defender batted more passes at the line of scrimmage in 2016 than @Lions rookie A'Shawn Robinson. pic.twitter.com/t2nbQI2Aze
— PFF (@PFF) June 23, 2017

Not bad at all for a first-year player, especially considering he bested Suh, the player the Lions had been so desperate to replace. It appears that impressive showing was no fluke as Robinson batted two additional passes down in the Lions preseason opener against the Indianapolis Colts (per Dave Birkett of The Detroit Free Press).

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It’s a unique talent, and one that separates Robinson from a lot of other defensive linemen. After all, it’s this ability that earned J.J. Watt the nickname “J.J. Swat”, and he’s a pretty good player, wouldn’t you say?

All kidding aside, while Robinson clearly hasn’t earned serious comparisons to players like Suh and Watt, it’s apparent that he is brimming with potential. The key to unlocking such potential is usually finding the preparatory methods to unleash it, and Robinson appears to be well aware of this. Now entering his sophomore season, the 22-year old is constantly looking for ways to get better in every aspect of his game, (per Birkett once again).

"“All my game, honestly, is the next step,” Robinson said. “Working on getting better in the run and of course getting better at getting after the quarterback play in and play out. Just getting off those blocks and making those plays. You can always get there, put the lineman in his lap by getting off blocks and making those plays.”"

That sort of attitude is exactly what the Lions need from their young players, and there’s no question that Robinson’s importance to the defensive line has increased in the midst of the season-ending injury to Kerry Hyder and Ezekiel Ansah‘s extended stay PUP list. These men are the team’s top outside pass rushers, and Robinson will have to compensate for them on the inside, particularly if Ansah is hobbled for any significant period of time.

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The Lions appear to have found a solid, reliable contributor in Robinson, and it will be interesting to watch him take the next step as a pro in 2017. Without question, he will see a significantly increased workload this season, and he will be relied upon to have a substantial impact on a defense that ranked 18th in 2016. In order for the Lions to compete for a second straight post-season appearance, Robinson will need to step up and deliver a big season. It appears he’s ready to do just that.