The Lions are searching far and wide for more talent at wide receiver. Here's one name to watch in the draft: Kentucky's Wan'Dale Robinson.
Robinson caught eyes at the combine after catching ankles throughout last season when he finished third in the country in receptions and 10th in yards after catch. He's a 5'8 speedster with big-play ability in the air and on the ground who's drawn comparisons to Rondale Moore of the Cardinals and even 49ers All-Pro Deebo Samuel.
And the Lions, per Tony Pauline of Pro Football Network, 'have shown a lot of interest in Robinson.'
Robinson doesn't have the size the Lions are searching for on the perimeter, but he certainly has the playmaking skills they need. He forced more missed tackles (22) and produced more first downs (61) than any other SEC receiver last season. And he earned an overall offensive grade from Pro Football Focus of 91.3, tied for third in the country among receivers with probable first-round pick and potential fellow Lions target Drake London.
Robinson, who's 'getting a lot of love in the scouting community' according to Pauline, would give Detroit another dynamic receiver in the slot next to Amon-Ra St. Brown. And that might be selling him short.
Per NFL.com draft analyst Lance Zierlein, "Robinson will be tabbed as a slot receiver but that is underselling his potential. He's sudden and slick with an ability to make plays from a variety of alignments."
Indeed, Robinson racked up more rushing attempts than receptions in two seasons at Nebraska before transferring to Kentucky, averaging over 5.0 yards per carry as a sophomore. And while he was used almost exclusively as a receiver last season for the Wildcats, he still turned seven carries into 111 yards. He also caught 10 passes for 170 yards and earned MVP honors in Kentucky's Citrus Bowl win over Iowa.
“Whenever it’s one-on-one, I don’t think anyone can tackle me,” Robinson said at the combine. “I turn into a running back with the ball in my hands. I’m going to fight for extra yards and just try to break as many tackles as I can trying to get to the end zone.”
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Robinson clocked a 4.44 40 at the combine. For reference, Samuel ran a 4.48 in 2019, while Moore clocked a 4.28 last year. Both were second-round picks. Robinson is viewed as more of a mid-round selection, but a lot can change between now and the draft.
Pauline compares Robinson to the 5'7 Moore 'based on his size, quickness, and ability to create yardage after the catch.' And while Samuel is a good deal bigger, specifically longer, Zeirlein says the 'competitiveness, acceleration and run-after-catch talent could have teams eyeing a somewhat similar usage for Robinson.'
On top of 1,405 receiving yards and an NFL-best 18.2 yards per catch last year, Samuel led all receivers with 59 rushes for 365 yards and eight touchdowns. Asked about playing a Samuel-like role in the NFL, Robinson said, “For me, that’s all the things that I’ve done in college."
"At Nebraska, I was taking a lot of carries. Inside zone, outside zone, doing a lot of different things. And then being at Kentucky, I was able to play a lot of receiver. So I just feel like I have the versatility to do both at a very high level," he said.
There's a lot to like about Robinson's game. And if the Lions can find a true perimeter weapon in the draft and/or free agency, where they'll have options galore, there's a lot to like about Robinson's potential in Detroit's offense.
"I feel like anytime I get the ball in my hands," he said, "I’m a threat to make a big play happen."