Darius Robinson, a defensive lineman from Missouri, has met with the Detroit native twice in the weeks leading up to the NFL Draft, demonstrating the Detroit Lions’ unabashed interest in the player.

Robinson may be guaranteed a spot in Detroit’s first round draft selection, according to an insider. An ESPN commentator breaking down the pre-draft fervor surrounding the Lions cited a scout close to the team who thinks Detroit may have already settled on their top pick.

“Darius Robinson, this is your landing spot,” the scout stated. Miller mentioned that Robinson had “shared conversations about team needs with the Lions’ decision-makers multiple times this year.”

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Darius Robinson an ‘Ideal Fit’ for Detroit’s Defensive Scheme

Miller noted that Robinson would be a logical fit for the Lions, a team seeking a steady pass rusher to play alongside Aidan Hutchinson.

“Robinson, the versatile defensive lineman from Missouri, is an ideal scheme fit at 6-foot-5 and 285 pounds,” Miller wrote. “He played both defensive end and defensive tackle in 2023 while posting 8.5 sacks, and while the Lions have standout players in Aidan Hutchinson and Alim McNeill on the defensive line, Robinson’s power and burst on the edge would be a welcome addition.”

The Lions struggled at times to find a consistent pass rush outside of Hutchinson, who made 11.5 sacks in his second season with the team.

Robinson and the Lions have been connected by other commentators. NFL.com’s Chad Reuter predicted in a mock draft that was released on March 22 that the Lions will select him with the 29th overall choice. Like Miller, Reuter said that the defensive lineman from Missouri would be useful to the Lions because of his versatility.

According to Reuter, “Robinson showed off his versatility in Missouri’s scheme last year, often standing up at 285 pounds.” “He would probably be used similarly by the Lions, across from Aidan Hutchinson.”

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Lions Sticking With What Works

In the previous NFL Draft, general manager Brad Holmes of the Lions faced criticism for selecting tight end Sam LaPorta at number 34 and running back Jimmy Gibbs at number 12 overall. The team also went heavy on offense. Holmes stated that the Lions’ strategy is to select the best player available, despite the fact that the team had some pressing defensive needs at the moment.

Holmes and head coach Dan Campbell “made it clear they have no plans to change their approach of drafting the best player available” this year, according to ESPN’s Eric Woodyard. According to Holmes, the team filled the obvious holes by re-signing important players and adding senior depth to their secondary through free agency, giving them the flexibility to select the best player.

At league meetings in March, Holmes stated, “You guys have heard me talk openly about it, but free agency is a time to pull out the depth chart and start plugging holes and all that kind of stuff.” However, when it comes to the draft, you might truly err by reaching for a necessity and passing over guys who could have a significant influence.