NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Jon Robinson’s resume is limited, with just one full year on the job as an NFL GM.
Even with a small sample size, we’ve gotten some strong feelings regarding his ability to assess talent and value.
Last year he traded out of No. 1 for a haul, traded back up from No. 15 to No. 8 to land a rookie All-Pro and added an impactful and promising draft class of 10 for the Tennessee Titans.
The free-agent haul from his first year included key pieces like receiver Rishard Matthews, center Ben Jones and safety Rashad Johnson (who’s now a free agent), while cornerback Logan Ryan and safety Johnathan Cyprien look like big additions for 2017.
The lead-up time is almost over before we see Robinson work a draft board again.
It won’t be a surprise at all to see him make more deals. He’d love to turn what he got from the Rams into more capital that keeps paying that trade forward.
He’s got a couple of advantages beyond a good early resume:
1) He and his coach, Mike Mularkey, have done well to establish an identity. They know what they are and what they intend to be, and the kind of tough, team-first, dependable guys who fit with it.
2) He’s got nothing close to a ticking clock. He’s got issues to address, like pass defense and perimeter play on offense, but he’s not like some of his colleagues whose drafting motivation includes saving his own behind. He’s not going to make the wrong move because he’s desperate.
Robinson is smart and he’s shrewd. This draft looks like it’s got a lot to sort through in terms of differentiating a lot of tightly-bunched talent.
Titans fans should feel comfortable betting on their guy. There are plenty of NFL decision-makers who need things to be super clear for them. Hazy isn’t a bad thing for Robinson.
