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5 things to know about Bears EDGE Dominique Robinson

brendan sugrue
·4 min read

After the Chicago Bears focused on their offensive needs with their last two draft picks, they circled back to the defense to select edge rusher Dominique Robinson out of Miami (Ohio) with the 174th overall pick in the 2022 NFL draft.

Robinson joins the Bears as a player who will likely take some time to develop, but has plenty of upside as a defensive end in the NFL. Here are five things you should know about the newest Bears pass rusher.

Robinson used to play WR

AP Photo/Butch Dill

While Robinson may look like a natural at rushing the passer, he’s actually fairly new to it. The former Redhawks standout is actually a converted wide receiver.

Robinson had played the position in college up until the 2020 season where he averaged over 20 yards per catch his final year. For his college career, Robinson had 452 yards and four touchdowns on offense.

He was also a QB in high school

USA Today Sports

You thought Robinson’s dual-threat ended at wide receiver and defensive end? It turns out he also played quarterback in high school. In fact, Robinson was asked to tryout at a number of positions as some coaches weren’t sure where he fit best.

Robinson’s high school coach Dan Reardon recalls the process with Ryan Schmelz of Spectrum News.

“We went to the Boston College camp and I think Dominique may have set a record for most positions that the staff asked him to work at because they weren’t sure exactly. They just knew he was a big, physical specimen and wanted so see where he would fit. So, he worked out as a receiver, as a tight end, as a quarterback, as a defensive end, as a linebacker and as a safety. All within one camp, which is highly unusual, to say the least.”

It all seemed to work out for Robinson but he’s truly an athlete on the field that can seemingly play anywhere. It’s a dream come true for a coach.

Robinson watches former Bear and current Rams LB Leonard Floyd

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When asked who he watches on film at the NFL level, Robinson named a familiar player to Bears fans.

“I been watching Leonard Floyd a little bit,” Robinson told reporters on Saturday. He also says he’s been watching T.J. Watt as well.

Watching Floyd makes a ton of sense for Robinson. Both have similar measurables and are lengthy pass rushers. Floyd didn’t have the stellar career in Chicago like many envisioned when he was a first-round pick in 2016, but this team will be in a good place if Robinson can replicate what Floyd does best.

He didn't start a game on defense in college

AP Photo/Butch Dill

With Robinson moving from the offense to the defense in 2020, he had to learn the position quick. Even though he showed special traits, he never made a start at the edge rusher position. All of his production came as a rotational player. The result was 37 total tackles and 11 sacks.

He's a very raw prospect with tons of upside

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Seeing as Robinson is just a couple years into the defensive end position and has only a handful of games under his belt, it’s understandable that he’s considered a raw prospect who needs to hone his craft more at the next level. But scouts are excited with his potential and believe there’s a lot to work with as he develops.

As Bears scout Brendan Rehor tells ESPN’s Courtney Cronin, they’re excited about what’s ahead for Robinson.

“I think there’s only upside with this kid, which is what we’re betting on and what we invested in…there’s only upside, there’s only athletic ability. There’s a lot of stuff to work with.”

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