Chicago Bears edge defender Dominique Robinson is turning into quite the 2022 NFL Draft story. The rookie fifth-round pick from Miami (OH) led Bears defenders with 1.5 sacks in Week 1 and finished second on the team with seven tackles.
His performance against the San Francisco 49ers was so good that Pro Football Focus gave him the second-highest grade of all rookies in Week 1. Their analytics credited Robinson with two sacks.
“Robinson had flashed at times this preseason, but not quite in the way he did in Week 1,” PFF’s Mike Renner wrote. “Robinson racked up two sacks and a hurry on only 15 pass-rushing snaps, then added two more run stops on 13 run-defense snaps. Doing it against a tackle like Mike McGlinchey makes it all the more impressive.”
Robinson joined the Bears as a raw but athletic pass-rusher whose traits made him an appealing Day-3 prospect. There weren’t high expectations for his rookie season, as most analysts assumed he’d be fourth in the pecking order of pass rushers in 2022. But his immediate impact against the 49ers has changed his outlook quite a bit. Now, he appears destined for as many (or more) reps as Trevis Gipson off the bench.
Robinson was the only edge rusher to make Pro Football Focus’ top 15 rookies of Week 1. To check out the complete list, click here.
