After the Chicago Bears focused on their offensive needs with their last two draft picks, they circled back to the defense to select edge rusher Dominique Robinson out of Miami (Ohio) with the 174th overall pick in the 2022 NFL draft.
Robinson joins the Bears as a player who will likely take some time to develop, but has plenty of upside as a defensive end in the NFL. Here are five things you should know about the newest Bears pass rusher.
1
Robinson used to play WR
AP Photo/Butch Dill
While Robinson may look like a natural at rushing the passer, he’s actually fairly new to it. The former Redhawks standout is actually a converted wide receiver.
Robinson had played the position in college up until the 2020 season where he averaged over 20 yards per catch his final year. For his college career, Robinson had 452 yards and four touchdowns on offense.
2
He was also a QB in high school
USA Today Sports
You thought Robinson’s dual-threat ended at wide receiver and defensive end? It turns out he also played quarterback in high school. In fact, Robinson was asked to tryout at a number of positions as some coaches weren’t sure where he fit best.
Robinson’s high school coach Dan Reardon recalls the process with Ryan Schmelz of Spectrum News.
“We went to the Boston College camp and I think Dominique may have set a record for most positions that the staff asked him to work at because they weren’t sure exactly. They just knew he was a big, physical specimen and wanted so see where he would fit. So, he worked out as a receiver, as a tight end, as a quarterback, as a defensive end, as a linebacker and as a safety. All within one camp, which is highly unusual, to say the least.”
It all seemed to work out for Robinson but he’s truly an athlete on the field that can seemingly play anywhere. It’s a dream come true for a…