One Chicago Bears Rookie Quietly Flashed Again In Seattle

The Chicago Bears 2022 draft class has been nothing short of impressive this preseason. Jaquan Brisker was brilliant during an entire drive against Kansas City. Braxton Jones held his own at left tackle while Trestan Ebner had three big plays at running back. A week later in Seattle, top pick Kyler Gordon looked sharp in coverage while Velus Jones delivered a 48-yard punt return. Through all the big moments, fans have missed another rookie making noise. That is Dominique Robinson. The buzz around the 5th round pick from Miami of Ohio started the moment he was drafted. GM Ryan Poles and head coach Matt Eberflus loved his immense potential. He'd had 6.5 sacks his final year of college despite it being only his second season ever as a defensive end. Despite his evident inexperience, the mixture of size, length, and athleticism was so enticing. Through two preseason games, people have gotten glimpses of what the Bears were talking about. It started with his explosive sack against the Chiefs. [video width="1920" height="1080" mp4="https://www.sportsmockery.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Dominique-Robinson-sack-Chiefs.mp4"][/video] Not enough people are talking about his performance against Seattle, though. Robinson had three pressures on the evening, including two QB hits. One pressure forced Geno Smith to step up into a sack by Trevon Coley. Another was a hit on Jacob Eason that forced an incompletion on 3rd down, forcing the Seahawks to go for it on 4th. It failed. [video width="1238" height="684" mp4="https://www.sportsmockery.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Dominique-Robinson-hit-Seahawks2022_08_19_22_02_132022_08_19_22_03_08.mp4"][/video]

Chicago Bears know what they have in Robinson.

He isn't ready yet. When watching him snap to snap, it's evident the young man is raw. He doesn't have the balance or technique of a more seasoned pass rusher. He needs time to learn his craft and add more muscle to his still-developing body. The scary part is he continues to deliver flashes like these every week despite such handicaps. Eberflus and his staff know what he can be, given the right coaching. Robinson is a rare breed. It isn't a stretch to think that if he'd started college at defensive end rather than wide receiver, he likely would've been drafted much higher than the 5th round. The Chicago Bears expressed belief they were lucky to get him that late. They don't need him right now. Robert Quinn and Al-Quadin Muhammad can be the starting defensive ends in 2022. That will give the rookie time to learn. Don't be surprised if he morphs into something special by 2023.