Patriots Could Sign Ex-Vikings Pass Rusher

During the 2021 NFL Draft, the Minnesota Vikings selected an outside linebacker named Janarius Robinson, who never really took off in the Twin Cities. Five years later, he’s getting a look from the Super Bowl runner-ups.

Robinson could turn a June audition into a roster battle if New England wants more depth.

The veteran EDGE will work out for the Patriots this week, and a summer roster spot could be the result.

Robinson’s NFL Path Has Included Many Stops

Do you remember Robinson from the Mike Zimmer era?

NE Auditions Robinson

Robinson could make it five NFL teams in five years. NBC Sports‘ Josh Alper wrote Tuesday morning, “The Patriots will be checking out a potential addition to their defense on Tuesday. Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reports that defensive end Janarius Robinson will be working out for the team.”

“Robinson spent last season with the Chiefs, but he did not appear in any games after fracturing his foot in the offseason. Robinson was a Vikings fourth-round pick in 2021 and moved on to the Eagles in 2022, but spent most of both seasons on injured reserve.”

Through three months of open free agency, Robinson has no known nibbles from EDGE-needy teams. That could change as early as this week.

The Patriots’ EDGEs

Do the Patriots need more pass-rush help? From a role player and fringe roster bubble commodity like Robinson — probably not. Still, here’s the embattled Mike Vrabel’s OLB group in mid-May:

• Harold Landry III
• Dre’Mont Jones
• Gaba Jacas
• Namdi Obiazor
• Bradyn Swinson
• Quintayvious Hutchins
• Jesse Luketa
• Xavier Holmes

If signed, Robinson would likely slide onto the depth chart behind Jacas, a 2nd-Round rookie, and above Obiazor, a 6th-Round rookie.

Robinson’s Career to Date

Robinson initially arrived in Minnesota via the 2020 Stefon Diggs trade with the Buffalo Bills. After sending Diggs to Buffalo, the Vikings leveraged the returned draft capital to select several players, including Justin Jefferson, Camryn Bynum, Zach Davidson, Kenny Willekes, and Robinson.

Drafted by former general manager Rick Spielman in the 4th Round of the 2021 NFL Draft, Robinson’s tenure with the Vikings was short-lived and unproductive. His rookie season in 2021 was cut short by a season-ending injury, and he failed to make the 53-man roster in 2022, instead being relegated to the practice squad. During that 2022 season, Patrick Jones and D.J. Wonnum served as the primary backup EDGE rushers behind starters Danielle Hunter and Za’Darius Smith.

The Philadelphia Eagles acquired Robinson in September 2022, signing him after defensive end Derek Barnett tore his ACL and was placed on injured reserve. Notably, Barnett himself had a prior connection to Robinson’s former team, having joined the Vikings in 2016 as part of the Sam Bradford trade.

Robinson never played in a regular season game for Minnesota before the Eagles acquired him.

Since entering the league, Robinson has appeared in 16 career games, making 3 starts. His career totals include 13 tackles, 4 quarterback hits, and 1.5 sacks. He has logged 187 defensive snaps and an additional 77 on special teams. His 2024 season was his most active as a professional, despite receiving a stinky 42.6 defensive grade from Pro Football Focus.

His full work history:

• Minnesota Vikings (2021–2022)
• Philadelphia Eagles (2022)
• Las Vegas Raiders (2023–2024)
• Kansas City Chiefs (2025)

ArrowheadAddict‘s Matt Conner on Robinson, “Before the 2025 draft, Robinson sounded excited to join the Chiefs and said he was a ‘perfect fit’ for Kansas City. However, the Chiefs spent two early picks on the defensive front — a second-round choice on Omarr-Norman Lott and a third-round pick on Ashton Gillotte — and Robinson was buried on the depth chart early.”

“From there, a fractured foot landed him on injured reserve before the regular season even began. Robinson will now hope to prove he’s healthy as a journeyman defensive end for a team fresh off of a Super Bowl appearance.”

The Big-Name EDGEs Left in Free Agency

Suppose the Robinson tryout does not net a contract. The Patriots — and other teams that need EDGE rushers — still have an accredited list of alternatives, including these men:

• Denico Autry
• Derek Barnett
• Joey Bosa
• Jadeveon Clowney
• Marcus Davenport
• A.J. Epenesa
• Leonard Floyd
• Cameron Jordan
• Von Miller
• Haason Reddick
• Kyle Van Noy

The Vikings, too, may need an OLB3 behind Andrew Van Ginkel and Dallas Turner, depending on the summer performances from Bo Richter, Tyler Batty, and rookie Jake Golday (an inside linebacker).

Robinson turned 28 two weeks ago. New England’s defense ranked 11th in the last year per EPA/Play, a propelling force for their Super Bowl appearance.

Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … More about Dustin Baker