A’Shawn Robinson, all 320 pounds of him, just snagged his second interception of the season for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Seriously, two picks for a defensive tackle in six games is wild, and it’s just the tip of the iceberg for how this guy is outperforming what anyone expected when the Bucs signed him this offseason. The expectation was some veteran depth, a reinforcement for their D-line, but Robinson has been way more than that. He’s arguably their most effective defensive tackle, a consistent bright spot for a team that’s apparently had a pretty disappointing season so far.
That Play Against The Steelers Was Just The Start
We saw it happen again on Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Rookie Rueben Bain Jr. tipped an Aaron Rodgers pass at the line, and Robinson was right there to secure the football, giving the Tampa Bay offense an early scoring opportunity. It’s not every day you see a 320-pound interior lineman with the hands to make that play, let alone make it twice in six games. This isn’t just about tackles and sacks; Robinson is influencing games in ways nobody saw coming from his position. It’s a testament to how much he’s bringing to that defense.
Robinson’s Numbers Are Absolutely Bonkers
His impact goes way beyond those unexpected turnovers, though. Heading into Week 6, Robinson held an 89.1 overall defensive grade from Pro Football Focus. That’s insane, ranking him first among 132 qualifying interior defensive linemen. His run defense grade was an equally ridiculous 89.3, slotting him second at the position. We’re talking about one of the league’s absolute best interior run defenders, full stop. Add in five quarterback pressures and a sack, and you can see why he’s been so crucial. He’s bringing the discipline and physicality needed to shut down opposing ground games, eating up blockers, holding leverage, and blowing up running lanes, which opens up opportunities for the linebackers behind him. Yeah, his 58.3 pass-rush grade suggests he isn’t dominating as a pure pass rusher, but his incredible work against the run and his knack for creating turnovers make him one of the Bucs’ most valuable defenders.
For years, Vita Vea has been the centerpiece of that Tampa Bay interior defense, drawing double teams and dictating how offenses played them. But Robinson’s emergence means Vea isn’t carrying the unit alone anymore. The Bucs now have another legitimate force inside, making that defensive front a real problem for opposing teams.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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