Minnesota Vikings training camp battles: Replacing Chad Greenway

Candidate 4: Edmond Robinson Jr

There are several reasons why I have labeled Robinson as the underdog to win this training camp battle, firstly before I researched this article I could not have told you he was on the Vikings roster. I could also not locate a picture of him, having to resort to using the gang tackle photo you see above that he may or may not be in.

Despite my ignorance Robinson is out to show the Vikings that he deserves to start on their base defense and so far has been splitting 1st team reps at Mankato with Lamur.

If he manages to beat Lamur for the starting sport, it wouldn’t be the first time Robinson has overcome the odds. After attending Newberry, a division 2 school, Robinson earned the accomplishment of being the first player drafted from there in 41 years when the Minnesota Vikings selected him in the 7th round of the 2015 draft.

After playing sparingly defensively as a rookie Robinson spent 2016, like Brothers, playing solely on special teams. Given the vast increase in competition from his college days a lengthy transition to the NFL was to be expected and whilst he qualified as raw prospect he was not without his strengths, as Ben Goessling of ESPN reported at the time.

"“At Newberry, Robinson lined up over slot receivers at linebacker and even moved back to safety at times. His quickness and size means he should be able to handle matchups with tight ends.”"

More from The Viking Age

• 6 biggest draft steals in Minnesota Vikings history
• Former Vikings first-round pick could reportedly return to NFC North
• Bears analyst has extremely embarrassing Kirk Cousins take
• 6 Vikings who (maybe) won’t make the 53-man roster in 2023
• Predicting what the Vikings will do in the 2023 NFL Draft based on 2022

Along with his decent coverage skills, what unquestionably caught the Vikings attention in the lead up to the draft was Robinson’s impressive athleticism. At 6’3″ and 245 pounds Robinson had the biggest hands and longest arms of all linebackers at the combine, he also registered in the top 10 in the 40 yard dash, vertical jump and broad jump.

With his coverage prowess and stand out athletic ability you may wonder why Robinson isn’t the favorite to start.  Considering he is fighting for a role in our base defense he crucially struggles to stop the run, as NFL.com detailed in their scouting report.

"“Looks like a praying mantis on tape — almost all legs. Excelled but didn’t dominate against lower level of competition. Play strength is nowhere near ready as a linebacker prospect. Needs weight work and mass and needs to learn to use his length to keep blockers off of him.”"

If Robinson couldn’t beat blockers in division 2 he stood no chance in the NFL without time to develop and understandably Zimmer limited his playing time accordingly.

Next: An Off The Roster Option

Robinson certainly has work to do if he wants to step into Greenway’s role but if he can demonstrate that his run defense has improved he just may pull off another unlikely success story.