NFL draft profile: Alabama DL A’Shawn Robinson, a true brute force

Shutdown Corner is counting down the top 50 prospects in the 2016 NFL draft with a scouting report, quotes from NFL evaluators and a projection where they might be drafted.

38. Alabama DE-DT A’Shawn Robinson
6-foot-4, 307 pounds

Key stat: According to Pro Football Focus, Robinson played 1,140 of a possible 1,995 snaps the past two seasons, accumulating 53 solo stops, 32 QB hurries, six batted passes and only three missed tackles.

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The skinny: An almost immovable force against the run, Robinson came to Bama as a 5-star recruit and broke in right away with one of the deepest defensive lines in the country. He played multiple techniques for the Crimson Tide and was a fixture of one of the best run defenses in the country the past two seasons. After the 2015 season, Robinson declared early for the draft after Bama’s national title season and he turned 21 years old last week. His workouts in the physical drills at the NFL combine were considered fine but hardly great, and was just fine in the positional drills. Robinson’s pro day workout, even while weighing 312, was considered a far better effort.

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Best-suited destination: Robinson could fit in multiple schemes, including as a nose tackle in either an odd or even front. But his best position might be as a 3-4 defensive end, locking horns with opposing offensive tackles and taking up multiple gaps with his width and length. Robinson has an NFL-ready frame and could contribute immediately; there is no belief that he needs time to watch and develop. He played a very reasonable number of snaps on Bama’s extraordinarily deep and talented D-line, is still very young and should come into the league with a ton of tread on his tires.

Reason he’ll rise in draft: Even in a deep class of defensive linemen, very few can play the run the way Robinson can. Coming from Alabama, Robinson knows what it’s like to play in an NFL-like environment under two of the smartest defensive minds in college football in Nick Saban and Kirby Smart. Even though recent history might tell a bit of a different story, Bama players are considered safe, low-risk future NFL players. But with Robinson’s young, frame, solid athleticism, length and power, he appears to be a player with a high floor.

Reason he’ll fall in draft: Robinson just doesn’t rush the passer, even if Saban’s scheme asked him to hold the point of attack a lot. Robinson just hasn’t made gains that department, and in fact has seen his pass-rushing production wane over the past three seasons a bit if anything. That could make him a two-down player in the NFL, and even if Robinson excels at what he does that might not make him a first-round pick. He also might not be a perfect fit in an upfield, strictly one-gap 4-3 scheme.

Scouting hot take: “That’s a real possibility, especially with big guys. But at the end of the day the kid is talented. Would likely be on a rotation on any team he goes to.” — NFC pro scout, asked if he thought Robinson would end up as a two-down player

Player comp: Former New England Patriots 3-4 DE Ty Warren

Expected draft range: Late first to second round

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43. West Virginia S Karl Joseph
42. Michigan State DE-OLB Shilique Calhoun
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40. Pitt WR Tyler Boyd
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