Lions' Corey Robinson wants to get physical

Corey Robinson described his hometown of Havelock, North Carolina, as a "very calm place."

He described his playing style differently.

"I'm a physical guy," said Robinson, an offensive tackle selected in the seventh round by the Lions. "I like to go out there and be physical, move people off the ball and control the game."

Like many of this year's picks, Robinson could be an injury away from starting as a rookie.

And considering the Lions have used three starters at right tackle the last two seasons, Robinson could become a vital piece of an offense hoping to improve its run game. His physicality could be helpful.

Robinson, a three-star recruit out of high school, wanted to go to South Carolina because of the style of play.

"They were trying to be a real physical bunch, and that's something I like to do," he said.

After briefly switching to defensive tackle as a redshirt freshman, Robinson started nine games his sophomore season and was the full-time starter as a junior and senior.

In the 6-foot-7, 324-pound Robinson, the Lions have a developmental player in the mold of Cornelius Lucas and LaAdrian Waddle, who both have big frames and started at least two college seasons at left tackle.

As an undrafted rookie in 2014, Lucas filled in at right tackle by Week 2, and in 2013, Waddle played left tackle in Week 7 before starting the next eight games at right tackle.

Coming out of the Southeastern Conference, Robinson said he initially was surprised he didn't go higher in the draft, feelings Lucas and Waddle expressed after going undrafted out of the Big 12.

But now, Robinson knows his draft position doesn't matter.

"We're all here now," he said. "You've got to prove it."

To be better in training camp, Robinson said he'll spend some of the next month working at right tackle after being used on the left side. During the offseason program, the Lions worked Robinson on both sides, including some first-team reps at right tackle when Lucas was out.

"Anytime I can step out there and play with the starters and go out there and compete, I feel great," Robinson said.

In the NFL, Robinson said being consistent with his technique will be of the utmost importance, but his offseason roommate Laken Tomlinson said he has thought of more than just adjusting to the faster and more physical game. Tomlinson, a first-round pick at guard, said he's spoken with Robinson about the pressure to perform, something both players could have a chance to experience firsthand.

And though Robinson has seemed quieter than the other players in his draft class, Tomlinson said he's just as personable and driven as the rest of the group.

"I just remember while I was his roommate, every night I went to bed laughing," Tomlinson said.

jkatzenstein@detroitnews.com

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