2017 NFL Draft Profile: Offensive Tackle Cam Robinson

There’s no doubt Cam Robinson is the best offensive lineman in the 2017 NFL Draft. Even though the draft is weak overall at the positional group, it’s top-heavy with talent.

The scouts are unsure on whether his position is left or right tackle heading into the 2017 NFL Draft. Offensive lineman Cam Robinson showed this season he can handle the left tackle position at the next level.

After a stellar 2014 freshman campaign, he had an up and down 2015. Early on he struggled, especially against one of the nation’s top pass rushers, Texas A&M’s Myles Garrett, who is the top pass rusher in this year’s draft. He allowed a few sacks and pressures, but as the season got toward the end, he was better.

2016 was better for Robinson. He had great games against USC and Arkansas. He had one bad play against Ole Miss where he allowed their best pass rusher, Marquis Haynes, to bull rush him. In addition, he had a better performance against Garrett this season, even though it was rough in the first quarter, Garrett didn’t record a sack in the last three quarters of play.

STRENGTHS

His run blocking has always been phenomenal. However, his pass blocking needed to improve, and it has. His knee bend has gotten to the point where he can get better leverage, and he has improved his quickness. Many attribute that to the weight he lost during the offseason, which shows a commitment to getting better.

He has excellent footwork, and it allows him to seamlessly transition to blocking on the second level of the defense. He gets set before contact in the run game and can match the edge rusher’s speed to slow their arc.

WEAKNESSES

He’s very inconsistent, especially when it comes to balance and sustaining blocks. Robinson will sometimes allow his weight to move too far forward when it’s a run or a pass.

He punches well but doesn’t use his feet effectively when getting placed up against pass rushers. In addition, Robinson’s lack of bend can allow speed-to-power rushers an easy target to run over.

Robinson’s poor technique causes him to miss loopers around the edge when engaged with defensive ends.

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DRAFT DAY PREDICTION

The term caveat emptor comes to mind. While he’s the best tackle in this year’s draft, it may be ambitious to try to fix his flaws, because it won’t come easy. With that said, he does have signs against some of the best defensive ends in the SEC, that are in the NFL or someday will be, that he can succeed. With the right offensive line coach, he will be a good NFL tackle. He is the best offensive lineman in the draft, and with that, will end up going in the first round.

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