Former Vikings Pass Rusher Ends Up with Chiefs
In 2021, the Minnesota Vikings used a 4th-Round draft pick on Florida State EDGE rusher Janarius Robinson, a decision carried out by then-general manager Rick Spielman.
Former Vikings Pass Rusher Ends Up with Chiefs
Like most of the 2021 draft class — aside from Christian Darrisaw and Camryn Bynum — the group faded quickly and departed when Spielman exited the franchise early in 2022.
Robinson has bounced around the industry since but latched onto the Kansas City Chiefs’ roster last weekend.
Janarius Robinson to Kansas City
ESPN’s Ryan McFadden tweeted on April 4th, “Former Raiders DE Janarius Robinson is signing with the Chiefs, per his agency Sports Trust.”
Robinson becomes the latest free-agent addition to Kansas City’s offseason depth chart, where he figures to battle for a 53-man roster spot at training camp and in the preseason.
A to Z Sports‘ Charles Goldman wrote about the transaction: “The former Seminole had bad luck early in his career, seemingly stunting his growth. He saw his most playing time in 2023 with the Raiders, and last year, he seemingly ended on the wrong foot in Las Vegas. He could also still face another suspension this season from a DUI charge in March of 2024.”
“While expectations should be that Robinson is no more than a training camp body, his game certainly has some untapped potential. He’s only 25 years old. The Chiefs have seen first-hand what he can do in some very Steve Spagnuolo-esque packages.”
Robinson’s Biography
Here’s Robinson’s NFL resume since 2021:
- Minnesota Vikings (2021–2022)
- Philadelphia Eagles (2022)
- Las Vegas Raiders (2023–2024)
- Kansas City Chiefs (2025–present)
He’s played in 16 career games, starting 3, with 13 tackles, 4 QB hits, and 1.5 sacks. All told, Robinson has been on the field for 187 defensive snaps in four seasons while appearing in 77 special teams plays.
Robinson never played a single down of regular season football for the Vikings in 2021 or 2022.
Last year was his busiest as a pro, and he logged a lousy 42.6 grade from Pro Football Focus.
Robinson said last year about playing with Raiders’ EDGE Maxx Crosby: “I mean, it’s tremendous to have arguably the best defensive end in the league in your room and being able to pick his brain and pick his ear and just learn how he goes about his business each and every day.”
“It’s an honor just to see that day in and day out from a guy like Maxx. Like I said you can’t get no better than to be in a room and to be shoulder to shoulder with a guy like that.”
The Eagles stole Robinson from Minnesota’s practice squad in 2022 after the team situated him in that spot. D.J. Wonnum and Patrick Jones II filled the role Robinson sought that summer.
The Chiefs’ EDGE Rushers
In Kansas City, Robinson will join this group of defensive ends:
- George Karlaftis
- Mike Danna
- Charles Omenihu
- Felix Anudiki-Uzomah
- Malik Herring
- B.J. Thompson
The group needs a bit of love, at least per the Chiefs’ typical Super Bowl-contending standard, and it’s reasonable to expect another pass rusher to join Kansas City’s roster during the draft, which is 16 days away.
Chiefs Defense in 2024
Kansas City’s defense ranked 15th in 2024 per EPA/Play, a middle-of-the-road mark that will need improvement in 2025. Robinson may not necessarily move the needle for that task, but general manager Brett Veach also added cornerback Kristian Fulton from free agency.
Another former Viking, defensive tackle Jerry Tillery, signed with Kansas City one month ago.
Robinson will turn 26 in May.
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