Darius Robinson and the Detroit Lions look like an ideal draft match

Ahead of on-field work at the NFL Combine on Thursday, the defensive line prospects in Indianapolis had sessions with the media on Wednesday. Darius Robinson is a potential first-round pick, including landing with the Lions at pick No. 29 in a good chunk of mock drafts, and his versatility will appeal to a lot of teams.

Robinson started his career at Missouri as an interior defensive lineman. Rather than declare for the draft after the 2022 season, he returned to school, dropped weight and moved out to the edge. He became a potential high draft pick with a nice 2023 campaign (8.5 sacks, 14 tackles for loss, 42 quarterback pressures).

Robinson did not start playing football until his junior year of high school, transferring to Canton (Mich.) to give the sport a try after previously playing basketball. If not for football working out the way it has, he would have gone into the Marines to continue his family's legacy of military service.

Darius Robinson says playing for the Lions would be 'huge opportunity'

Robinson said he had a formal meeting with the Lions at the combine this week. While that's not necessarily a huge news item, as teams meet with every draft prospect they can, Robinson added how the Lions are the team he rooted for growing up.

So the meeting affected him in a different way than other meetings he has had with teams did.

"My heart was bumpin'," he said. "I'll tell you, it was like a dream, sitting there with all the names and faces (in the room), growing up a Lions fan. It was a great interview."

The Lions clearly need some defensive line help, and Robinson is hoping to be among the invites to April's draft in Detroit.

"That's my last goal," Robinson said. "I grew up 20 minutes away. That would be a dream come true. That's why I've come here to compete. ... I really hope I get the opportunity."

Robinson's football ability, mentality and versatility makes him easy to match with the Lions. Robinson's mom posted an old photo of him getting an autograph from Nick Fairley saying "now it's time for him to switch sides."

Robinson had an excellent showing at the Senior Bowl, where he worked with new Lions' defensive line coach Terrell Williams (h/t to Lions Wire).

"Coach T, man, just be violent, be physical, pad level, get off,” Robinson told of the style Williams wants him to play. “He’s a great coach.”

A fly in the Robinson-to-the-Lions in the draft ointment is if he doesn't last to pick 29. ESPN's Field Yates invited that possibility.