Draft insider links Detroit product Darius Robinson to Lions at pick No. 29

Once things get going on April 25, a lot of the things draft evaluators thought they knew about who would take certain players will go out the window. All the smokescreens, rumors and other rubbish will yield actual results to digest.

It's safe to say the Detroit Lions are one of the biggest wildcard teams in this year's draft. They are in position to take the proverbial "best player available" at pick No. 29 in the first round, almost regardless of position, and they will surely do just that. A trade up is possible, as is a trade down.

ESPN recently brought together their NFL team reporters and draft analysts for a collaboration of intel about the draft (subscription required). Draft analyst Matt Miller pointed to one player at pick 29.

"Here's your landing spot for Darius Robionson," said an area scout who crossed paths with the Lions' decision-makers multiple times this year and has shared conversations with them about team needs. Robinson, the versatile defensive lineman from Missouri, is an ideal scheme fit at 6-foot-5 and 285 pounds. He played both defensive end and defensive tackle in 2023 while posting 8.5 sacks, and while the Lions have standout players in Aidan Hutchinson and Alim McNeill on the defensive line, Robinson's power and burst on the edge would be a welcome addition."

Darius Robinson is very easy to tie to the Lions at pick No. 29

The Lions have shown plenty of interest in Robinson during the pre-draft process, from the Senior Bowl to the NFL Combine to his being at the team's local Pro Day this week. Over the last week or so, a strong segment of mock drafts have had him going to the Lions at No. 29.

Robinson grew up in Canton, Michigan, and grew up rooting for the Lions. At the combine, he spoke about how his meeting with the team in Indianapolis hit him a little differently compared to others.

"My heart was bumpin'," Robinson 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."

Robinson's inside-outside versatility, and bump in production (8.5 sacks, 14 tackles for loss) when he saw more time out on the edge last season, should appeal greatly to the Lions (and plenty of other teams). If there's there at pick 29, he's certainly an option.