Finding a gem in the later rounds of the NFL Draft isn’t easy.
However, it appears the Chicago Bears did just that with rookie defensive player Dominique Robinson.
The fifth-round pick from the 2022 NFL Draft had an impressive start to his career last Sunday.
However, he’ll want to put more notches in his rookie season stat line with his next game.
But is he the Bears’ next defensive star, or did he stumble into a lucky break in his first career start?
Robinson Impresses Team With Great Skill
In his rookie debut, Robinson came out swinging against the San Francisco 49ers’ offensive line.
According to Next Gen Stats, Robinson’s three hustle stops was the most by a rookie defensive lineman in one game since NGS started recording the stat in 2016.
Bears rookie DE Dominique Robinson generated 3 hustle stops in his impressive NFL debut, the most by a rookie defensive lineman in a game in the NGS era (since 2016).
Robinson had a team-high 1.5 sacks on 11 pass rushes.#SFvsCHI | #DaBears pic.twitter.com/5o4uYoYGgF
— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) September 13, 2022
He also leads the team in sacks with 1.5 sacks for the season.
His seven tackles on Sunday rank him second among his Bears teammates.
While all these stats are great news for him and the Bears, he needs to follow up on the excitement with another impressive start.
However, facing Aaron Rodgers is a unique challenge versus facing Trey Lance.
With the rookie talent going against a savvy veteran on Sunday night, it’s all on Robinson to prove he’s a diamond in the rough.
Packers Offensive Line Gives Robinson A Chance To Make Another Mark
While the rookie lineman took advantage of the Chicago weather and poor 49ers offensive line to score his sacks, he has another great matchup going into Green Bay.
The Packers offensive line is missing several star starting players from last season.
However, injuries to several other current offensive line stars means Robinson might have a free shot at Rodgers.
According to the Packers injury report, offensive linemen David Bakhtiari, Elgton Jenkins, and Jon Runyan are all questionable going into Sunday’s game.
#Packers list four players as questionable vs. the Bears.
Final #CHIvsGB injury report 📝 https://t.co/egLI3tqKX0
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) September 16, 2022
If these three linemen miss the game on Sunday, it gives Robinson a window to Rodgers, who was sacked four times last week.
With this opportunity, it can show if the rookie is ready for Primetime in the NFL.
The Defensive Side Of The Football Is Something New For Robinson
When the rookie defensive end started his college career, it was on offense.
Very cool to see Dominique Robinson get 2 sacks in his debut.
Played QB in HS, switched to WR in college and then only played one full season on defense at Miami OH pic.twitter.com/JKiJPagfI4
— Ryan McCrystal (@Ryan_McCrystal) September 12, 2022
However, before he left for the NFL Draft, he played one season of football on defense.
While the shift is rare, it’s paying off for the Bears’ rookie talent.
With most of his experience coming on offense, it’s a shock to see him dominate on defense.
But his performance makes it seem like that switch he made was easy.
His assisted sack on third-down against the 49ers helped prevent them from scoring a touchdown, giving the Bears the momentum.
However, this Sunday is his biggest test in a new position.
While changing from offense to defense can be easy in high school or college, proving the change was right in the NFL is a different story.
With the spotlight on Robinson this Sunday night, he has a significant chance to show fans why he’s the Bears next defensive star.
