Raiders 2020 Draft Prospect: DE Alton Robinson

Raiders 2020 Draft Prospect Profile

Name: Alton Robinson

Position: Defensive End

School: Syracuse University

Height: 6’4”

Weight: 258 pounds

Stats

Pass Rush

Above-average, diversified toolbox. First, his push-pull disengages from the blocker. Next, Robinson’s balance and pad level give him a bull rush that belies his 260 pounds. He catches tackles slipping when they don’t catch him at the snap. When darting around the corner, you can see flashes of flexibility and shoulder dip. Basically, Robinson makes tackles think. Meanwhile, the only hiccup is the lack of an inside move. Robinson needs to definitively cut inside and not hesitate.

Run Stopping

Despite his frame, Robinson sheds the block to knife in to make the play. Also, slipping through trash to find the running back ensures him that he profiles as a three-down defensive end. While pass-rushing gets him on the field, the knack for sniffing out run play will keep him there.

Tackling

Blessed with a wide tackle radius, Robinson’s length allows him to stay near the play. Plus, he will punch the ball out as five forced fumbles attest. Now, where this trait should open eyes is how Robinson approaches the wrap. He makes a textbook grab, but will violently jar the ballcarrier. Not so much the technical, but the intent. Fair, within the rules but aggressive. No falling forward but thrown backward. He will need to refine hand placement and stopping the play.

Team Fit

In 2019, the Raiders tallied 32 sacks, of which seven belong to Benson Mayowa. A free agent, Mayowa seeks a hefty raise on the 1.7 million dollar salary he enjoyed last season, Mayowa’s probable departure opens up a spot to grab a boatload of snaps and see rush opportunities. The Raiders need a young rusher with upside to fill that role. Arden Key is not the one to take those. Robinson profiles as bigger and stronger versus the run.

Why Robinson?

Urgency and directed anger. From the snap, Robinson plays with a sizable chip on his shoulder. The end of this profile explains why. As a result, he lines up with a sense of immediacy and fire. Talentwise, as a Day Three talent, he fits the role of a rotational end, initially. The Las Vegas Raiders could assign him to a subpackage role at first, with other snaps, depending on how he performs. With Maxx Crosby probably commanding attention on one side, Clelin Ferrell looks to assume the second end spot. However, Rod Marinelli likes to slide ends to the inside and use an extra end. Stylistically, Robinson compares physically to Robert Quinn, an angular rusher with deceptive power.

Issue

On February 9, 2016, Bexar County (TX) police arrested Robinson on second-degree robbery. Allegedly, he stole his girlfriend’s cellphone. Prosecutors dropped the case, due to an uncooperative witness.