As we get to our last couple of Daily NFL Draft Prospect Profiles there are not too many first- or second-round type players our New York Giants might have interest in that we have not talked about.
One guy I have recently seen connected to the Giants in multi-round mock drafts is Florida State cornerback Patrick Robinson. It's a name I had not seen until recently, and to be honest it surprises me.
Robinson is a talented, physically gifted player. His performance, though, has not always matched his ability. He is, however, one of those guys who looks great in shorts and whose pre-draft workouts have his stock rising.
So, let's take a closer look.
Patrick Robinson Scouting Reports
From SB Nation's Mocking The Draft.
After a sophomore season where he finished with 6 interceptions, Patrick Robinson struggled to take that next step up. However he displayed the kind of foot quickness and agility that a cornerback must have at the next level. His ball skills are lacking and it will keep him from getting in to the first round, but teams will be attracted to the combination of physical skills here. He consistently puts his body on the line, which gave him a wide array of nagging injuries, and he is a hustler that could prove to be a prospect that outplays several corners taken ahead of him.
From Draft Countdown, and it is an amazingly more positive report than the one from MTD.
Outstanding athlete ... Excellent speed and acceleration --- Quick and agile ... Great leaping ability ... Good hands and ball skills ... Is effective in both man and zone coverage ... Tough, physical and feisty ... Gets a good jam at the line of scrimmage ... A decent tackler ... Still has lots of upside ... Inconsistent ... Concentration will wane ... Questionable instincts and awareness ... Underachiever?
Was suspended for taking part in a widespread academic cheating scandal ... All the ability in the world but doesn't always play up to his impressive physical tools... Extremely talented and could be special but potential is still more impressive than the actual production.
From NFL Draft Scout.
Robinson has good size and athleticism and has all the natural traits teams are looking for in a first-round pick. ... Good instincts for the position. Reads the receiver and is athletic enough to mirror routes. Willing to take gambles and will bait the quarterback ... Steers clear of head-on physical contact in run support. Will make the tackle when needed, but isn't likely to throw his body into the ballcarrier ... Has all the tools. However, he hasn't developed into a true standout and has minimal starting experience (24 starts in 44 career games). Suspended for four games (2008 Music City Bowl, first three games of 2008) for his role in the Florida State academic scandal. Good special teams player with experience as kickoff and punt returner and with a blocked kick and blocked PAT (returned it for two points) to his credit. NFL Comparison: Eric Wright, Brown.
Why Robinson fits with the Giants
As a first-round choice, he doesn't. If he is available later, that might be different. As I have said repeatedly, the more players you have who can cover the better off you are in today's NFL. And the Giants could use more depth at the corner.
Why the Giants should pass
Because this guy, honestly, seems like a huge gamble. And he is likely to come off the board too early for the Giants to take the risk. He has the size at 5-foot-11, 190 pounds and ran a 4.38 40 at his Pro Day. But, he has not been terribly productive and the scouting reports are a mixed bag. Some guys love Robinson while others see an underachiever who does not play hard enough.