3. A’Shawn Robinson
There are some players already on the roster that A’Shawn Robinson will have to compete with for playing time but his projection for rookie-year impact is probably as safe as any other member of the draft class. There is no expectation that Robinson should or will come in and stake claim to a starting spot at defensive tackle. Instead, he’ll be expected to come in and provide depth and a contribute as a cog in the Lions’ defensive tackle rotation.
What remains to be seen is exactly how much playing time he earns as a rookie. That could be a handful of snaps per game or it could be fifty snaps per game.
Best-case scenario: Is a solid rotational guy as a rookie and inspires confidence to ease fears about defensive tackle contracts that expire at the end of 2016.
Worst-case scenario: Plays some as a rookie but is generally lost in the shuffle of the rotation without standing out in a meaningful way.
Next: Number 2