A New England Patriots helmet rests on the sideline earlier than preseason motion in opposition to the Carolina Panthers at Gillette Stadium. The scene captured the environment on Aug. 19, 2022, because the Patriots ready for one more exhibition matchup throughout coaching camp season in Foxborough whereas evaluating roster depth forward of the common season. Necessary Credit score: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports activities.
Through the 2021 NFL Draft, the Minnesota Vikings chosen an outdoor linebacker named Janarius Robinson, who by no means actually took off within the Twin Cities. 5 years later, he’s getting a glance from the Tremendous Bowl runner-ups.
Robinson might flip a June audition right into a roster battle if New England needs extra depth.
The veteran EDGE will work out for the Patriots this week, and a summer season roster spot could possibly be the end result.
Robinson’s NFL Path Has Included Many Stops
Do you bear in mind Robinson from the Mike Zimmer period?
Philadelphia Eagles defensive finish Janarius Robinson traces up throughout preseason motion in opposition to the Cleveland Browns at Lincoln Monetary Subject. Robinson continued competing for a depth function on Aug. 17, 2023, after becoming a member of Philadelphia following his temporary tenure with the Minnesota Vikings group and apply squad throughout the early levels of his NFL profession. Necessary Credit score: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports activities.
NE Auditions Robinson
Robinson might make it 5 NFL groups in 5 years. NBC Sports activities‘ Josh Alper wrote Tuesday morning, “The Patriots will be checking out a potential addition to their defense on Tuesday. Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reports that defensive end Janarius Robinson will be working out for the team.”
“Robinson spent last season with the Chiefs, but he did not appear in any games after fracturing his foot in the offseason. Robinson was a Vikings fourth-round pick in 2021 and moved on to the Eagles in 2022, but spent most of both seasons on injured reserve.”
By three months of open free company, Robinson has no identified nibbles from EDGE-needy groups. That might change as early as this week.
The Patriots’ EDGEs
Do the Patriots want extra pass-rush assist? From a job participant and fringe roster bubble commodity like Robinson — in all probability not. Nonetheless, right here’s the embattled Mike Vrabel’s OLB group in mid-Could:
Harold Landry III
Dre’Mont Jones
Gaba Jacas
Namdi Obiazor
Bradyn Swinson
Quintayvious Hutchins
Jesse Luketa
Xavier Holmes
If signed, Robinson would seemingly slide onto the depth chart behind Jacas, a 2nd-Spherical rookie, and above Obiazor, a Sixth-Spherical rookie.
Robinson’s Profession to Date
Robinson initially arrived in Minnesota by way of the 2020 Stefon Diggs commerce with the Buffalo Payments. After sending Diggs to Buffalo, the Vikings leveraged the returned draft capital to pick out a number of gamers, together with Justin Jefferson, Camryn Bynum, Zach Davidson, Kenny Willekes, and Robinson.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive finish Janarius Robinson and linebacker Amari Gainer greet Chargers defenders Asante Samuel Jr. and Derwin James Jr. after a divisional matchup at SoFi Stadium. The postgame second unfolded on Sep. 8, 2024, following Robinson’s continued effort to carve out a rotational NFL function after stops with a number of franchises. Necessary Credit score: Kirby Lee-Imagn Pictures.
Drafted by former normal supervisor Rick Spielman within the 4th Spherical of the 2021 NFL Draft, Robinson’s tenure with the Vikings was short-lived and unproductive. His rookie season in 2021 was minimize quick by a season-ending damage, and he did not make the 53-man roster in 2022, as a substitute being relegated to the apply squad. Throughout that 2022 season, Patrick Jones and D.J. Wonnum served as the first backup EDGE rushers behind starters Danielle Hunter and Za’Darius Smith.
The Philadelphia Eagles acquired Robinson in September 2022, signing him after defensive finish Derek Barnett tore his ACL and was positioned on injured reserve. Notably, Barnett himself had a previous connection to Robinson’s former staff, having joined the Vikings in 2016 as a part of the Sam Bradford commerce.
Robinson by no means performed in a daily season sport for Minnesota earlier than the Eagles acquired him.
Since getting into the league, Robinson has appeared in 16 profession video games, making 3 begins. His profession totals embody 13 tackles, 4 quarterback hits, and 1.5 sacks. He has logged 187 defensive snaps and an extra 77 on particular groups. His 2024 season was his most lively as knowledgeable, regardless of receiving a pungent 42.6 defensive grade from Professional Soccer Focus.
His full work historical past:
Minnesota Vikings (2021–2022)
Philadelphia Eagles (2022)
Las Vegas Raiders (2023–2024)
Kansas Metropolis Chiefs (2025)
ArrowheadAddict‘s Matt Conner on Robinson, “Before the 2025 draft, Robinson sounded excited to join the Chiefs and said he was a ‘perfect fit’ for Kansas City. However, the Chiefs spent two early picks on the defensive front — a second-round choice on Omarr-Norman Lott and a third-round pick on Ashton Gillotte — and Robinson was buried on the depth chart early.”
“From there, a fractured foot landed him on injured reserve before the regular season even began. Robinson will now hope to prove he’s healthy as a journeyman defensive end for a team fresh off of a Super Bowl appearance.”
The Massive-Identify EDGEs Left in Free Company
Suppose the Robinson tryout doesn’t web a contract. The Patriots — and different groups that want EDGE rushers — nonetheless have an accredited listing of options, together with these males:
Denico Autry
Derek Barnett
Joey Bosa
Jadeveon Clowney
Marcus Davenport
A.J. Epenesa
Leonard Floyd
Cameron Jordan
Von Miller
Haason Reddick
Kyle Van Noy
Minnesota Vikings exterior linebacker Janarius Robinson watches apply throughout coaching camp actions at U.S. Financial institution Stadium in Minneapolis. Robinson participated in exercises on Jul. 29, 2022, whereas trying to earn a roster spot getting into his second NFL season after lacking his rookie marketing campaign due to damage rehabilitation and developmental setbacks. Necessary Credit score: Matt Krohn-Imagn Pictures.
The Vikings, too, may have an OLB3 behind Andrew Van Ginkel and Dallas Turner, relying on the summer season performances from Bo Richter, Tyler Batty, and rookie Jake Golday (an inside linebacker).
Robinson turned 28 two weeks in the past. New England’s protection ranked eleventh within the final 12 months per EPA/Play, a propelling pressure for his or her Tremendous Bowl look.
Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … Extra about Dustin Baker
