How much could Cardinals DL Darius Robinson’s role expand vs. Seahawks?
Dec 6, 2024, 5:00 PM
TEMPE — Arizona Cardinals rookie defensive lineman Darius Robinson finally got his feet wet in last week’s loss to the Minnesota Vikings.
The long-awaited NFL debut of 22 defensive snaps didn’t bring about the flashiest of stat lines. It did, however, include experience. It gave everyone in the Cardinals building a glimpse, including Robinson himself.
“After I watched (the tape) again, I was honestly excited, because I know all the things I did I can fix and do it in practice this week and just keep getting better and keep earning reps. I feel real positive now,” Robinson said Wednesday.
“It was exactly what I expected. Sometimes I felt like I knew exactly where my brain was going but my feet weren’t matching up,” he added. “I don’t know if I was too excited or what but really going to fix that in practice this week and just keep earning reps as far as technique, fundamentals.
“Like (head coach Jonathan Gannon) always says, ‘Alignment, assignment, key technique.’ I’m just super excited to get better.”
Still, the abbreviated debut left many wanting more from the No. 27 overall pick.
From the sounds of it, they might be getting their wish in Arizona’s biggest game of the year.
“He’s got one game under his belt. He’s got a lot to learn from. He had a good week,” Gannon said Friday. “His role, we’ll see if we can expand it a little bit and he’ll play well.”
Could Arizona Cardinals rookie DL Darius Robinson see an expanded role this week against Seattle? pic.twitter.com/cBCPJd801W
— Tyler Drake (@Tdrake4sports) December 6, 2024
What could an expanded snap count for Darius Robinson look like?
RELATED STORIES
While 22 defensive snaps (42% of available reps) might not sound like much, don’t expect to see that number double moving forward.
Remember, the Cardinals love rotating defensive linemen and do so with up to five in a given game. Defensive coordinator Nick Rallis likes his guys fresh.
Take Dante Stills and L.J. Collier for example. The duo started in last week’s loss to the Minnesota Vikings but saw no more than 60% of available snaps.
Collier ended with 32 snaps. Stills had 31.
With that thinking and it being Robinson’s second game back, seeing five to eight more snaps isn’t out of the realm of possibility.
Neither is starting, though Collier, Stills and Roy Lopez have all exceeded expectations in 2024.
