3 years later: Re-evaluating the Detroit Lions’ 2016 draft class

A’Shawn Robinson, DT

Selected: Second round / pick #15 (46th overall)
School: Alabama
Position: Defensive Tackle
Career statistics: 45 games, 28 starts, 3.5 sacks, 1 Int
Current status: Lions top-4 defensive tackle

He’s huge, tough, mean, and he looks 20 years older than his actual age. He’d probably rather have a fingernail pulled out than talk to a reporter. He’s also one of the Lions’ best defensive players.

Robinson enjoyed a career season in 2018, after two uneven years to start his career. In fact, he was so good, that PFF ranked him as their 11th best interior lineman last year. Not bad for someone who was a healthy scratch in Week 1.

It was a rough start to be sure, but he got better and better last year, thanks in large part to reuniting with Bo Davis, his old position coach with the Crimson Tide, who currently holds the same rank with the Lions. Now, it’s time for him to build on that success in a contract year.

Robinson hasn’t made a lot of splashy plays in his career, and he’ll probably never be much of a pass-rushing threat, but he’s become an excellent run defender, capable of stuffing both scat backs and power runners inside. With a deep group of linemen around him, it will be interesting to see how his snaps are allocated this season. He played 417 total last year.

While extending Robinson’s contract wouldn’t be a surprising move and may actually make a lot of sense, it’s no sure thing. The Lions have a lot invested in their defensive front already, and have another member of that unit – Damon “Snacks” Harrison – with whom they may prioritize negotiations.

Regardless, Robinson should continue to have a big impact on the Lions’ run defense, particularly on early downs. It’s entirely possible that he’s donning different colors a year from now, but it was a solid pick from Quinn; no defensive tackle selected after him in 2016 has had as much of an impact since then.