Is Brian Robison The Most Underrated DE In The NFL?

When most people talk about the best defensive ends in the NFL, very few will mention Brian Robison of the Minnesota Vikings. A deeper look into his impact on opposing defenses will show a player that could be considered the most underrated defensive end in the NFL. And here is why:

Dec 1, 2013; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings defensive end Brian Robison (96) against the Chicago Bears at Mall of America Field at H.H.H. Metrodome. The Vikings defeated the Bears 23-20 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

Brian Robison had the third most pressures of any NFL player in 2013. Seriously. Even though he was hampered with an injury to his neck for a period of his 2013 campaign, he was one of the most impressive players when it comes to disrupting the backfield. The only players to be more effective in those situations were J.J. Watt and Robert Quinn according to Pro Football Focus.

He has become a model of consistency. Over the last three years, he has started 47 of the Vikings 48 games and has accumulated 25.5 sacks over that time. The Vikings know that they can count on him in nearly any situation to make a defensive play or at least alter the offensive team’s strategy.

At 31 years old, he’s only getting better. That’s right, he’s still improving. Over his last three years as a starter, his numbers of sacks has grown. Although he still hasn’t broken the double digit sack mark for a season yet, all signs point to that happening this year in the new, more aggressive Vikings defensive scheme.

He will be the veteran pass rusher on the Minnesota Vikings this year. With Jared Allen moving on to the windy city, Brian Robison will find himself as the team’s most established pass rusher. There were many times over the last three years that we saw Allen get to the quarterback just a moment before Robison got there. Now, he will have first year starter Everson Griffen starting opposite him.

The only real question mark about Brian Robison entering the 2014 NFL season is if losing Jared Allen will make NFL offenses focus more on him when they gameplan for the Vikings. Hopefully, he’ll continue to soar under the radar while staying one of the best pass rushers in the NFL.

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