FanPost

CSR Community Mock Draft Pick 27: Packers Select DT A'Shawn Robinson

Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

With the 27th pick in the CSR Community Mock Draft, the Green Bay Packers select DT A'Shawn Robinson.

Here's a recap of the previous picks:

Picks 1-8 Recap

Picks 9-18 Recap

Picks 19-25 Recap

26. Seahawks select DT Jonathan Bullard (Wenger)

The Green Bay Packers hope to continue their "draft and develop" methodology and parlay that into the continued ascension of a promising roster. This is a franchise that has taken what our very own DG has begun here in the Carolinas and shown that it can be a model of continued success. GM Ted Thompson and Gettleman are cut from the same cloth – old school, fundamental, self-proclaimed "methodical" GMs that focus on their respective teams’ cores, maintain continuity whenever possible (*sigh, J No), and act judiciously in monetary matters. They have both proven to be adept at finding quality depth at the right price that fit the cultural mold and perform well-above their market prices.

The GB front office is extremely skilled at uncovering young talent in the draft and retaining it. Our own Durst had a great find bringing to light an interesting write-up Brother Girth at Niner Nation composed revealing the Packers have retained a league-best 23 drafted starters. While that may not definitively evidence them being the "best drafting team," it does evidence the fact that they develop and field the players they do draft. This year, they have 9 picks with 6 in the top 137, including two fourth round compensatory picks. They have addressed the front and back end of their defense in the past three 1st rounds, selecting DE Datone Jones in 2013, S Ha’Ha Clinton Dix in 2014, and DB Damarius Randall in 2015. With few major holes, should be a fun one for fans.

The Packers will be looking to rebound from their 20-26 NFC divisional playoff loss to Arizona. They are coming off a season where they ranked 23rd in total offense (25th passing, 12th rushing) and 15th in total defense (6th vs. pass, 21st vs. rush). The WR corps was incredibly hampered last year due to injuries to #1 receiver Jordy Nelson as well as Randall Cobb and Davante Adams. They will be in fine shape in 2016 with all returning alongside any new additions.

This offseason in free agency, as with most, Green Bay has been very quiet. TT has focused on resigning his own (DT Letroy Guion, PK Mason Crosby, G Lane Taylor, LB Nick Perry, OL Don Barclay) and filling holes with reasonable adds (DE Ray Drew, OL Vince Kowalski, OLB Lerentee McCray). Their flagship add this offseason has been TE Jared Cook, who the cheeseheads over at ACME Packing Company seem to also believe is a steal given his $2.75MM incentive-laden, one-year prove it deal.

GB has needs along the defensive line at both DT and DE and at ILB. Another buzz choice is a high pick at the TE position. While Jared Cook is a much better talent than what was currently on the roster and is a gifted athlete who has performed well with subpar quarterback play over his career with the Rams, there is no guarantee he will perform or be around for much longer than his one-year deal would suggest.

So where was (the faux) Ted Thompson aiming in the 2016 NFL Draft?

LB: Reggie Ragland was a player the Packers front office was very high on as a long-term candidate at ILB that would allow for Clay Matthews to move back outside opposite Julius Peppers, but Oakland took him off the board at 14. Jaylen Smith is an intriguing option as one of, if not the, top athletes in this draft class. However, his anticipated redshirt rookie season due to a massive knee injury is enough to deter them here. A player like BJ Goodson can be had in the 2nd – 4th rounds.

TE: Arkansas product Hunter Henry is the top option here as a complete pass-catching and blocking tight end. He’s also been mocked to the Panthers as a running-mate and long-term replacement for G-Reg. WKU TE Tyler Higbee was a choice here before his recent arrest for assault charges. Nick Vannett has also visited the Packers, but can likely be had as a mid second-rounder.

That leaves DT and DE, where depth is needed and so fortunately abounds. With other pass-rushing options such as Emmanuel Ogbah, Kamalei Correa, Kevin Dodd and Shilique Calhoun on the board, there is much to consider.

However, at pick #27, Green Bay would be lucky that A’Shawn Robinson fell this far. NFL.com describes his strengths:

Body beautiful for an interior lineman. Well-­proportioned with powerful, tree­ trunk legs make it tough to move him off the spot. Has boom in his punch and dislodges guards and centers if they try and wait on him. Pure power to toss a one-­on-­one block aside. Athletic enough to give reasonable chase to the ball. Well schooled in using length to stuff cut blocks. Has frame and length to eat blocks and allow linebackers to run free. Heavy tackler. Running backs do not break his tackles and he rarely fails to finish when he’s locked in on his target. Able to generate pocket push when he gets it cranked up as a pass rusher. Boss man in the locker room and in practice helping to hold teammates accountable. Coming into the draft with relatively fresh legs playing just 57 percent of Alabama’s defensive snaps over last two seasons. Has brute force to match NFL power immediately.

Here’s a link to his spider chart:

http://www.mockdraftable.com/player_embed/7502/selected/graph/

The main knocks I've seen on Robinson, perhaps contributing to his recent fall in mock drafts, have been a slightly disappointing combine (including questionable interviews, not character concerns), limited potential beyond a two-down run defender and speculation on what effect the overwhelming quality of the supporting cast in Tuscaloosa had on his game. He was said to have had improved his workouts during his pro day, however.

At 6’4", 307, A’Shawn Robinson is a prototypical interior lineman with stellar run-stopping prowess and the ability to push the pocket. He was a force at Bama against top-tier competition and will immediately bolster and help fortify the DL for years to come after the surprise retirement of BJ Raji.

The Kansas City Chiefs (Celtics Panthers) are now on the clock.

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