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Washington Commanders select Alabama running back Brian Robinson Jr. in 2022 NFL Draft

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Kevin C. Cox via Getty Images.

Yet another former Alabama Crimson Tide star has been selected in the 2022 NFL Draft, as the Washington Commanders have selected running back Brian Robinson Jr. with the No. 98 overall pick in the third round.

Robinson began his career at Alabama in 2017, rushing for 165 and two touchdowns on 25 carries as a true freshman. He then had 63 carries for 272 yards and two touchdowns as a sophomore before upping his production as a junior. In 2019, he had 96 carries for 441 yards and five touchdowns, adding 11 receptions for 124 yards. During the 2020 season, Robinson had 91 attempts for 483 yards and six touchdowns, adding six receptions.

This past season was by far Robinson’s best and put him on the NFL Draft radar, as he rushed 271 times for 1,343 yards and 14 touchdowns, averaging five yards per rush. He also had 35 receptions for 296 yards and two touchdowns. Overall, Robinson averaged five yards per carry in his five-year collegiate career. Now he is looking to be the next great Alabama running back to translate his success to the NFL level after being given an opportunity in the 2022 draft.

What NFL Draft analyst are saying about Brian Robinson Jr.

NFL.com analyst Lance Zierlein broke down Robinson’s game ahead of the NFL Draft, giving him a professional comparison to Seattle Seahawks starting running back Chris Carson. But Zierlein thinks that Robinson deserves some more credit in some areas of his game than he gets credit for.

“Robinson is an absolute physical unit with good feet and power to add yards after contact, but his running style is predictable and somewhat indecisive between the tackles,” Zierlein said. “Building and maintaining momentum doesn’t always come easily. He’s more fight than flight, but delays in processing and a lack of second-level creativity turn him into more of a road-grader than he needs to be.

“He is a linear runner who is likely to be utilized as a complementary bulldozer to help wear down defenses, but Robinson might have more potential from sideline to sideline than he receives credit for.”