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Detroit Lions: Will A’Shawn Robinson step up in 2017?

By Steven Mullenax

Nov 24, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions defensive tackle A'Shawn Robinson (91) walks onto the field just before the third quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at Ford Field. Lions won 16-13. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 24, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions defensive tackle A'Shawn Robinson (91) walks onto the field just before the third quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at Ford Field. Lions won 16-13. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports /
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As a second round selection by the Detroit Lions, a lot is expected of defensive tackle A’Shawn Robinson. But can he become a consistent pass rusher?

Coming out of college in 2016, Alabama defensive tackle A’Shawn Robinson was touted to be a possible first round selection. But a lackluster performance at the NFL Scouting Combine, he fell to the Detroit Lions‘ in the second round of last year’s draft.

Starting in five of the 16 games in his first NFL regular season, Robinson played in nearly 40% of the team’s defensive snaps (408). He recorded 30 total tackles, had seven pass defends and 2.5 sacks for Detroit in 2016.

After garnering starter experience during the last half of the season, the Lions’ are expecting big things from their 2016 second round pick. And so far this offseason, Robinson’s play is trending upwards.

"“I think [Robinson’s] really doing some good things,” Lions’ defensive coordinator Teryl Austin told the Oakland Press. “He is again, another big, strong, powerful man who has got good bend. So, he does a lot of things inside in the run game. He’s going to be really good. Like always, we think we’ve got to just continue to try to accelerate him in the pass game and work on his pass rush so that he can be a three-down player for us and give us some inside pass rush.”"

Last season, Robinson helped the Lions’ defense rank 18th against the run, allowing an average of 106.3 rushing yards per game to opponents. Where Detroit really struggled last year was getting to the quarterback. Racking up just 26.0 sacks last season, which was tied for 31st in the NFL, the Lions’ need pass rush from wherever they can get it.

Next: Why Zach Zenner should be the Lions' starting running back

If A’Shawn Robinson can continue to be effective against the run while stepping up his game enough to also be a consistent and effective pass rusher from the defensive tackle position, the Detroit Lions’ defense should be much improved in 2017.

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