The NY Giants, in the third-round of the 2021 NFL Draft selected UCF cornerback Aaron Robinson, adding tremendous value and continuing to invest in a burgeoning defense.
Robinson 5-foot-11 and 190 pounds, has the versatility to play inside cornerback or outside as a three-down defender. There were some evaluators across the NFL who viewed the Central Florida product as a second-round pick, and the NY Giants coming away with him one round later underscores his value.
In three seasons at UCF, Robinson allowed five touchdowns ,intercepted three passes and produced 101 total tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss and broke up 12 passes.
Last season, Robinson allowed 6.3 yards per target, according to Sports Info Solutions, and spent 60 percent of his snaps in zone coverage, which could make him a great fit in NY Giants defensive coordinator Patrick Graham’s system.
The NY Giants obviously still believed they entered the draft with a pressing need at cornerback, even after signing Adoree’ Jackson in free agency. Robinson could have the chance to compete for a starting job immediately.
Here are scouting reports of Aaron Robinson, the NY Giants’ 3rd-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft:
"Cornerback prospect with inside/outside potential featuring good size and adequate speed. The former four-star prospect possesses quality athletic ability with good transition quickness and foot agility. He has press potential with the ability to open and connect with routes. However, he does have issues losing patience and opening his hips too soon against release and route fakes. He’s a willing tackler and proved to be much more consistent in that area in 2020. Robinson possesses the size and traits to garner attention as a Day 2 (Rounds 2-3) cornerback, but teams will have to decide whether he has the speed to play outside or if he’s a better fit for nickel duties."
PFF:
"PROSLegit short-area burst, especially for a taller corner.Down to mix it up. He came downhill and attacked screens very well.Easily has the “want to” to play safety or in the box if a team needs him there.Quick to recognize routes. It’s likely why he was put in the slot in the first place.CONSAlmost exclusively slot over his career despite having the size for outside.Little slow to get on his horse on his transitions to vertical routes. Stacked a lot.Jumpy to get outside leverage instead of staying patient. Leaves free seam runs.Faced very little in the way of NFL-caliber receivers this season."
Matt Lombardo is the site expert for GMenHQ, and writes Between The Hash Marks each Wednesday for FanSided. Follow Matt on Twitter: @MattLombardoNFL