College Free Agents: Gerell Robinson, WR, Arizona State

Gerell Robinson poses for a headshot during the NFL Scouting Combine on Saturday, Feb. 25, 2012, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Ben Liebenberg)

The Denver Broncos picked up Gerell Robinson soon after the 2012 NFL Draft ended.  College Free Agents mostly don’t make NFL rosters, but with this guy the Broncos are hoping for the next Rod Smith.

Robinson was my third favorite sleeper wide receiver pick a couple of weeks ago, so I am more than happy the Broncos were able to pick this kid up without using a draft pick.  He isn’t much of a workout warrior, but has shown incredible toughness over his career at Arizona State. Robinson is known for catching footballs in traffic or when being contested on jump balls.

I do not expect Robinson to compete for a starting position this year, but long term he could very well become the next Rod Smith for the Denver Broncos.  Let’s take a look at some of the various scouting profiles on him, as well as some fun highlight reels.

NFL.com

Robinson is big receiver who emerged during his senior year. He is an average athlete who doesnÂ’t display much mobility. He is effective catching the ball in short spaces and uses his frame well. He doesn’t have the speed to be a deep threat. Robinson is a guy who has been productive in a conference full of good receivers, and has value as a late-round selection to see if his size can be utilized at the next level.

STRENGTHS Robinson is a good traffic player who catches a ton of balls in close quarters and for short first downs. He likes to box out like a basketball player and use his long limbs to pluck the ball out of the air. He is also effective in the run game as he likes to get physical and block cornerbacks downfield. He is an effort player who brings a physical presence.

WEAKNESSES Robinson is nonexistent as a deep threat, and despite his size he struggles to get off the line of scrimmage. He worked out of the slot at ASU, which is uncommon for a player of his size. He will have to learn how to get past his inability to release off the line, and figure out how to be productive in the intermediate-to-deep passing game.

WalterFootball.com

Height: 6-3. Weight: 227.
40 Time: 4.62.
Vertical: 35.5.
Broad: 9-5
Arm: 30 7/8. Hand: 9 10.
Projected Round (2012): 5-6.

4/4/12: It wasn’t surprising that Robinson didn’t work out well at the Combine because he doesn’t look like a workout warrior. During the season, Robinson showed some size and quickness. He could be a boom-or-bust pick in the mid-rounds. Robinson is tall, and has some straight-line speed, but he was a one-year wonder.

Robinson ended his career well by torching Boise State’s secondary to the tune of 13 receptions for 241 yards and one touchdown. He didn’t have much production entering this season, but came on strong late in the year for Arizona State. In the final five games, Robinson recorded 785 receiving yards. In 2011, he totaled 77 receptions for 1,397 yards and seven touchdowns. Robinson had a quality start to the week at the Senior Bowl, but was quiet later on.

National Football Post

A tall, long-armed wide receiver prospect with great size and a solid overall build. However, he isn’t real explosive off the line of scrimmage and it takes him a while to get up to speed. Is a strider who looks more like a 4.6 guy, isn’t going to run by anyone but the further down the field he gets, the harder he is to cover. Isn’t a real balanced or sudden route runner either, but a linear athlete who struggles to break down and change directions even on more vertically breaking routes. Doesn’t create much separation for himself vs. man coverage and tends to really roll into his breaks trying to get this body between the ball and defender. Is forced to chop his feet and gear down on more sharply breaking routes and just doesn’t have a real initial burst. Isn’t overly coordinated when asked to box out and go get the play, though he snatches the ball well when he’s open and secures it, but is not as physically impressive with a guy draped over him.

Is at his best when he can go up and make a play on the football when covered up, but isn’t the type of dynamic jump-ball threat who can make a living doing it in the NFL. Doesn’t seem to maximize his length routinely, will drift backward when trying to set his feet and explode vertically in order to get the football. Has a slight physical element to his game vs. press coverage, using his length to fend off blocks, but isn’t real shifty off the line and again will never separate a ton. Has the size to win on the outside as a blocker and does take pride in being nasty on the outside and winning on contact.

Impression: A big kid with solid ball skills, but isn’t dynamic when asked to go get the football and is never going to separate much in the NFL.

As you can see, the reports are all over the place for this kid.  It’s as if analysts just aren’t sure what to make of this kid.  He doesn’t appear fast, but when you watch him play he seems faster than his 4.6 speed.  Reminds me a bit of Terrell Davis in that he plays faster during games.  I will be excited to watch this kid grow and compete at the next level.

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