Gil Brandt says he’d draft Denard Robinson to be a cornerback

Submitted by Cold War on

Some project Robinson as a receiver in the pros.

NFL draft consultant and former Dallas Cowboys general manager Gil Brandt has another idea.

“I’d draft him to be a cornerback,” Brandt said. “A quarterback never wants to be told he’s going to have to play another position, but I don’t think he can play quarterback in the NFL. I do know teams are always looking for cornerbacks, and I think Robinson could do it because of his quickness and speed.

“But he’d have to want to do it to make it work.”

Robinson has declined to say much about what position he wants to attempt to play at the next level, saying he just wants to enjoy his senior season.

 

http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/colleges/ex-nfl-gm-gil-brandt-says-hed-draft-michigans-denard-robinson-to-be-a-cornerback-in-the-pros/2012/12/24/6fa51d0a-4df1-11e2-835b-02f92c0daa43_story.html

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mGrowOld

December 24th, 2012 at 2:42 PM ^

Why not? If Chip Kelly does get a head coaching gig in the pros coupling Denard with Kelly's system would be fairly electric.  Come to think about it imagine if Kelly went out and also got Tebow, Denard and Dixon to be his QB's - wouldnt take much of a cap hit at all and he'd have a dream team of spread QBs if and when one got hurt.

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QVIST

December 24th, 2012 at 2:56 PM ^

That's true, but Kelly actually doesn't prefer Denard-like guys (runners playing quarterback). He said he likes a passer that can keep a defense honest with his legs, and also that he would not have wanted Tebow in college. Either way, I can't wait to see what he does in the NFL.

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M - Flightsci

December 24th, 2012 at 4:57 PM ^

I don't think Denard is good enough at the read part of the zone read to be really really great at it.  It's the small things that other QBs do that put them over the top. I believe Pat White was a better fit in RR's offense.  Watch Taylor Martinez on an inverted veer handoff and how long he holds onto the ball before taking off upfield.  Would be very interesting to see though.  Makes one wonder if Oregon's success would be sustainable without their mastermind.

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Volverine

December 24th, 2012 at 2:53 PM ^

I always thought the reasons people gave for why Denard couldn't play QB in the NFL were because (1) he's not an accurate enough thrower; (2) his decision making skills are not good enough; and (3) he is prone to injury. 

Looking specifically at that third reason, how is moving him to a position that requires him to hit people going to prevent him from getting injured? Sadly, I think he needs to be a Desmond Howard-type, where he makes his living in the return game. 

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DonAZ

December 24th, 2012 at 8:37 PM ^

"... how is moving him to a position that requires him to hit people going to prevent him from getting injured?"

I'm reminded of what Butch Woolfolk told his son Troy about playing football -- "Be the guy who does the hitting, not the guy who takes the hits."  Perhaps there's something about being the initiator rather than recipient that reduces (impossible to eliminate) the risk of injury? 

I end on a question mark because I honestly don't know.  Would seem to make some sense, but darned if I could articulate why.

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VSS

December 24th, 2012 at 3:06 PM ^

I'm doubtful about Denard's prospects at the next level, but I actually think playing nickel or something might not be a bad idea. We don't know how well he can catch, although perhaps playing slot and catching some drags and outs would be feasible. But, Denard is strong and tough and doesn't shy away from contact. I think returning kicks will be his most likely landing spot, I could see the attraction to the idea of him playing corner, in addition to wide receiver. He could probably take snaps as a wild cat or at runningback, but he'd probably transition to WR over time for a number of reasons, health being an important one. 

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FreeKarl

December 24th, 2012 at 4:27 PM ^

I think he may even have a chance in RB role. He's proven that he's not especially fragile and the RB core entering the draft this year is extremely weak. He just needs to learn how to block and maybe put on some more weight, which he may be able to do given that he doesn't  need to work on throwing mechanics anymore. 

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energyblue1

December 24th, 2012 at 3:32 PM ^

Not at corner....corner makes a mistake they give up a td......and that mistake isn't one speed prevents cause a mistake gives up 3 or 4 full speed strides before you get the shot to correct it.....and a good nfl wr is already going down field and fast enough that you paid for it with 6pts......

Denard is that dangerous in the open field that getting him 5 to 10 touches a game is worth it....cause he can break it on any touch and is good enough to generate his own yds.......

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Perkis-Size Me

December 24th, 2012 at 3:49 PM ^

I don't see Denard on defense. I don't think he's tall enough to be an elite corner. Plus he's only played on offense his whole life.

I'd love to see him in the slot or as a change of pace, east-west RB, but I think his best option to succeed is in the return game. Give him the ball in space, and he is a very dangerous weapon that will be able to outrun most, if not everyone on the field.

Either way, I think Denard is third day pick, maybe a very late second day pick depending on how he does at the Combine. He'll be a guy that some team is willing to take a chance on and will look at him as a project. He's a low risk, potentially very high reward kind of pick. He has the kind of elite athleticism that would make me absolutely shocked to see him not get picked up by anyone.

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BluePants

December 24th, 2012 at 3:56 PM ^

So, he's not tall enough to be a QB...but tall enough to be a corner? I know that cb's aren't necessarily very tall, but you'd be asking a guy that's only played offense to learn a whole new set of skills...I hope nobody is paying Brandt very much...

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B1G_Fan

December 24th, 2012 at 4:24 PM ^

 The players ultimately decide where they will work out. Teams can request guys to do specific drills and I don't think anyone is dumb enough to say to their possible future employer waving a million dollar check

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mpbear14

December 24th, 2012 at 4:17 PM ^

I'll be surprised if Denard ever takes a snap in the nfl other than special teams. That is the niche he needs to become good at on both sides of the ball. Returner and gunner.

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B1G_Fan

December 24th, 2012 at 4:19 PM ^

 I've only seen Denard attempt a tackle once and he got injured on that attempt. I think this is why Gil is the EX general manager of the Dallas cowboys

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