TEMPE — He doesn’t know exactly what Year 2 will bring but Arizona Cardinals second-year pro Darius Robinson knows one thing:
“I just know it’s going to be something crazy.”
"I just know it's going to be something crazy."
Cardinals DL Darius Robinson is ready for a bounce-back Year 2 and "getting back to that highest point" after working through the highest of highs and lowest of lows as a rookie. pic.twitter.com/9HNC1NOYjS
— Tyler Drake (@Tdrake4sports) May 28, 2025
There weren’t many who had a tougher rookie season than Robinson after landing with the Cardinals at No. 27 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Just before the season began, Robinson went down with a calf injury and didn’t make his NFL debut until Week 13. The issue limited him to just six games, with one sack and a QB hit to show for.
Then came the passing of his mother, Valori, in the middle of the year while Robinson was working his way back from the injury.
It was a nightmare situation for the young defensive lineman trying to find his NFL footing.
“Last year was like the hardest year of my life but then it was the best year of my life in the same year,” Robinson said on Wednesday. “I definitely felt the lowest, but I’ve also felt the highest. I’m ready to get back to the highest point and I know what it takes, a lot of hard work. I’m just super excited for this year.”
Given the way Robinson showed up to OTAs, looking bulked up after an offseason dedicated to his craft, the lineman isn’t not alone in that thinking.
I feel bad for the pad. pic.twitter.com/sBr1Ytg3wf
— Tyler Drake (@Tdrake4sports) May 28, 2025
But while Robinson is going to get every opportunity to earn a starting role, it’s not going to be an easy feat after a defensive line revamp this offseason.
The competition level within the DL room is much higher than it was just a year prior after Arizona added Davlin Tomlinson and Calais Campbell through free agency. The Cardinals then went out and selected Walter Nolen III with the No. 16 overall pick in this year’s NFL Draft.
Can’t forget about returning options Dante Stills, L.J. Collier, Justin Jones and Bilal Nichols, either.
“At Mizzou, our No. 1 value was always compete,” Robinson said. “It’s the same thing in the NFL, always compete. I’m excited we brought in new guys. Just make sure the (tape’s) even hotter so, I’m just super excited to compete. Ultimately we’re all teammates, so we’re just chasing one goal, but I’m super excited.”
Cardinals’ Darius Robinson very much at home in the Valley
While Robinson was learning more about himself from the adversity he faced as a rookie and grinding this offseason, he also developed a deeper connection to the Valley.
Cardinals DL Darius Robinson = big Arizona guy (in more ways than one).
"This is home." pic.twitter.com/t3Eioo83Eb
— Arizona Sports (@AZSports) May 28, 2025
“I love Phoenix. This is home,” Robinson said. “I bought a house here and I just love going to the Diamondbacks games, the Mercury games, just getting out in the community because that’s really fun for me just to see the other athletes grinding, too. I just love Phoenix.
“Growing up in Michigan and then going to Mizzou, it’s like a whole new chapter. So, I got to enjoy every second of this chapter and it’s been a lot of fun getting around the valley.”
110 what?!
Aside from getting acquainted to his new surroundings, Robinson also learned a thing or 110.5 about his new running mate in Campbell.
“He’s legendary. I remember we were talking about pass rush one day and they were talking about, ‘Welcome, Mr. 110. … I said, ‘Dang, I only got one sack. I got a lot of work to do.’ That’s legendary.
“I just want to learn as much as I can from him and understand like he was here in the beginning and being able to come back. It just shows the standard of like what I envision for myself so it’s awesome to have a great leader, to be able to look up to.”