Dominique Robinson Has Reportedly Turned Heads This Summer

The Chicago Bears know that if they're going to take a step forward in 2023, they will need their younger players to lead the way. It starts with the 2022 draft class. They got some solid contributions from certain names as rookies like Jaquan Brisker, Kyler Gordon, and Braxton Jones. Now more will be asked of them. They have a year of experience under their belts. This is the year they should be in true NFL shape and no longer intimidated by pro speed. Everybody agrees the biggest jump for a player comes from Year 1 to Year 2. One name that hasn't gotten much media attention is Dominique Robinson.

GM Ryan Poles and the Bears coaching staff seemed really excited about the 5th round pick from Miami (OH). They felt that despite his significant inexperience at the position (he was a wide receiver two years before getting drafted), he had the unique physical tools to become something special. It seemed like they got early validation when he delivered 1.5 sacks against San Francisco in the season opener last year. Then Robinson went silent for the rest of 2022. It led some to wonder if the hype was overblown.

Braxton Jones isn't ready to admit that. He told NBC Sports Chicago that Robinson has looked like a different player already this off-season.

Dominique Robinson got schooled hard last season.

He openly admitted that earlier this year. That first gave convinced him this NFL thing would be easy. The following weeks were a rude awakening to his new reality. Not only was every tackle he went up against almost as talented as him, but they were all far above his skills when it came to technique and fundamentals. His low point came against Philadelphia when Jordan Mailata basically erased him from existence for the entire 60 minutes of that game. That was his wake-up call that if he wanted to survive in this league, he better start working harder.

This off-season was spent grinding on every facet of his game. He's studied top pass rushers on film and spoke directly with others. He asked for advice far more often from his coaches. Dominique Robinson shows all the characteristics of a young player that was humbled. Now the reconstruction of his game into what it should be has begun. If the Bears can turn him into what they envisioned during the draft last year, it would be a gigantic boost for their entire defense.