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Seahawks: Don’t sleep on Ryan Robinson

By Keith Myers

Jul 31, 2015; Renton, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll talks with his player during training camp practice at Virginia Mason Athletic Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 31, 2015; Renton, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll talks with his player during training camp practice at Virginia Mason Athletic Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Ryan Robinson, an almost completely unknown defensive end and linebacker for the Seattle Seahawks, is poised to win a large role on Seattle’s defense.

The Seattle Seahawks begin another round of OTAs this week. It is still a long time until training camp begins, and an even longer time until rosters will be set. Some of these roster battles will be fierce, but don’t sleep on DE/LB Ryan Robinson.

Wait… who? If you have no idea who Ryan Robinson is, just know that you’re not alone.

Robinson was an undrafted free agent with the Raiders back in 2013. His college stats were mostly unremarkable. His only professional stats are 4 special teams tackles with Oakland as a rookie.

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While none of that is worthy of any excitement, it was all as a defensive end. In Seattle, Robinson will play in the SAM linebacker spot where Bruce Irvin used to play. There, Robinson will be able to take better advantage of his athleticism.

In OTAs last offseason, the Seahawks saw something special in Robinson. With Irvin on the shelf and recovering from injuries, Robinson saw all the reps with the starters. Robinson’s explosiveness had already moved him above the likes of Mike Morgan and Kevin Pierre-Louis.

Unfortunately, Robinson’s season came to an abrupt end when he tore his Achilles the team’s minicamp. He’s had to spend the last 12 months rehabbing and getting ready for the 2016 campaign.

Bruce Irvin is now gone. He signed with Oakland in free agency. The Seahawks didn’t sign or draft a replacement starter. The job is going to be an open competition in training camp. Robinson will be there fighting for the chance to contribute on Seattle’s defense.

As of right now, the Seahawks are planning to use a linebacker by committee approach at the position. There are plenty of defensive ends (Cassius Marsh, Frank Clark) and linebackers (Mike Morgan, a trio of undrafted FAs) vying for playing time. Robinson faces some steep competition.

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But don’t sleep on Robinson. These are mostly the same faces and odds that he faced a year ago. The Seahawks elevated him to the top of that list then, and there’s no reason to believe he won’t be back in that position again this summer.

For Robinson, this is the chance he’s worked his entire life for. There’s no reason to think he won’t make the most of it.

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