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As the Minnesota Vikings continue a purge of their 2021 draft class, EDGE rusher Janarius Robinson was released on Tuesday.
Robinson was drafted by the Vikings “old” front office personnel in 2021.
From the midsection of the same draft, the Vikings reportedly waived quarterback Kellen Mond and offensive lineman Wyatt Davis on Tuesday.
The Vikings employ a top-heavy twosome in Danielle Hunter and Za’Darius Smith at EDGE rusher, so many believed Robinson could make the final regular season as a depth pass rusher. But no such luck.
Robinson missed all of the 2021 season on injured reserve. The 2022 campaign was supposed to act as his rookie season — if he could make the team. In his stead, fellow 2021 draft alumnus Patrick Jones and third-year pass rusher D.J. Wonnum are expected to serve as backup pass-rushing depth.
The young defender arrived to the Vikings as fruit from the Stefon Diggs trade to Buffalo. Diggs was packaged to the Buffalo Bills — where he fit in marvelously — while the Vikings received the picks that netted Justin Jefferson (WR), Camryn Bynum (FS), Zach Davidson (TE), Kenny Willekes (EDGE) and Robinson.
Unless something changes significantly — like a practice squad assignment and eventual reclamation — Robinson will not be a bright spot from the trade. Thankfully for Minnesota’s sake, Jefferson and Bynum are a tremendous “consolation.”
Heading into the 2021 NFL Draft, The Draft Network noted on Robinson, “[His] fluid out of his stance, and he anticipates the snap well. His initial steps gain considerable depth, and he does well to use them to set up his rush. While I wouldn’t label him as explosive, he’s quick off the ball.”
The Flordia native may land on the Vikings 2022 practice squad if he clears waivers. He had eight sacks in 34 games at Florida State.
He turned 23 in May.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sally from Minneapolis. His Viking fandom dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ and The Doors (the band).
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