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The 2014 NFL Combine provided a deep class of wide receivers, with many standouts among the group, and Penn State Allen Robinson was one of them. Although Robinson had a bad forty at the combine (4.60), he excelled in position drills, where he was very comfortable and ran his routes with ease and authority. Robinson put up a great season at Penn State, piling up 97 receptions for 1,432 yards and six touchdowns.
Basics
Name: Allen Robinson
College: Penn State
Position: Wide Receiver
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 220 lbs
40-Yard Dash: Combine- 4.60 Pro Day- 4.47
Vertical: Combine- 39" Pro Day- 42"
Arm Length: 32"
Age: 20
Pros
- Exceptional hands
- Physical, able to beat press coverage
- Quick release enables him to gain separation from defender
- Hard to tackle
- Dangerous in open space (yards after catch)
- Able to high point the ball and catch back shoulder throws
Cons
- An inefficient blocker, leaving a lot to be desired on run plays
- Suspended first half of the season opener for disciplinary reasons
- Only two years of starting experience in college
- Feet control on sideline throws needs to be improved
- Doesn't gain big separation on many deep patterns, giving the quarterback less margin than error.
Do Your Homework
Does He Fit The 49ers?
Robinson has big hands, would provide the 49ers a sure-handed red-zone threat, and is still only twenty years old with room to grow. His good route running ability, sure hands, and physicality would make Robinson an ideal heir-apparent to Anquan Boldin when Boldin eventually does retire. For the time being, Boldin would be a great mentor to the young Robinson, showing him what it takes to be an All-Pro.
If the 49ers feel Robinson is not a fit it is because they want to draft a speedier slot receiver type of wide-out and opt to draft someone other than a tall possession receiver such as Robinson. Robinson had a 4.47 forty at his pro day, which was much improved on his 4.60 time at the combine, but some teams may stick with his combine time and deem him on the slowish side.
What They Are Saying
Studying more tape on Allen Robinson... Wish he had more juice but I love the way he fights for every inch after the catch. Very physical
— Daniel Jeremiah (@MoveTheSticks) March 10, 2014
Impressed with Allen Robinson's vision and anticipation to read blocks on his YAC.
— Josh Norris (@JoshNorris) March 9, 2014
Allen Robinson - very efficient feet at line, and then at break point. Impressive given size.
— Louis Riddick (@LRiddickESPN) February 27, 2014
- Chip Kelly and Mike Tomlin attended Robinson's pro day
Conclusion
After a strong pro day, Robinson's stock appears to be on the rise and could be had as early as the end of the first round. He could slip into the second with the deep receiver class this year, but he will not reach the end of the second round. Robinson has enough speed for me to give the 49ers the green light for drafting him. While he isn't as speedy as Brandin Cooks and some other options, his long strides and Pro Day 4.47 40 speed is plenty fast enough (he ran a 4.60 at the Combine). Tall and physical Bears receivers Alshon Jeffrey and Brandon Marshall prove that you don't have to possess exceptional speed to be dangerous receiving threats, and I liken Robinson to those two a bit and feel he has a good chance to be a solid NFL player.