From gold to red, Darius Robinson is the Mizzou's lone first-round pick

Congratulations to Darius Robinson for being selected by the Arizona Cardinals in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft. Robinson was the only Missouri player to be selected in the first round, but after his performance in the Senior Bowl, he raised his stock enough to be a projected late first-round pick.

Robinson is part of the Cardinals two pick first round as they addressed needs on both the offensive and defensive side of the ball. They were able to give quarterback Kyler Murray help on the offensive side of the ball by drafting the top wide receiver in the draft Marvin Harrison Jr. and then strengthened their pass rush with the Robinson pick.

This pick makes sense for the Cardinals as a fairly lean defensive lineman who may not have had the fastest 40-yard dash time, but he can find ways to get to the quarterback. The Cardinals signed three veterans in the offseason, but they need young blood for the future and Robinson can be exactly that. He can also move anywhere on the line due to playing multiple positions in college.

The Cardinals were ranked 31st in total team defense in the NFL last season under first-year defensive coordinator Nick Rallis who before going to Arizona was the linebackers coach in Philadelphia. Their rushing defense was last in the league, so the addition of Robinson will help as he can move inside to plug rushing lanes.

In a draft where the first 14 picks were offensive players, just nine defensive players were taken in the first round. Robinson is the first Missouri football player to be selected in the first round of the NFL Draft since 2017 when defensive end Charles Harris was selected by the Miami Dolphins with the 22nd pick.

Robinson spent five years with the Tigers, which is not something you see a lot today in college football with the transfer portal. He finished his college career with 111 total tackles, 21 tackles for loss, 13 sacks, 8.5 of them in his senior season, and one forced fumble.

Robinson will likely become an immediate starter on the edge for the Cardinals in year one.