Could Landon Robinson Be the Bengals' Next Great Defensive Tackle?
The Cincinnati Bengals have a glaring need in the trenches - and not just any body will do. They need a disruptor.
A difference-maker. Someone who can collapse the pocket from the inside and force quarterbacks into bad decisions.
It’s been a while since the Bengals had a true game-changer at the 3-technique. But if a certain draft sleeper from Navy keeps rising the way he is, that drought might not last much longer.
Enter Landon Robinson.
Robinson, a defensive lineman out of the Naval Academy, turned heads in a big way during East-West Shrine Bowl week - both in practice and in the game itself. For those unfamiliar, the Shrine Bowl is one of the premier showcases for NFL hopefuls outside of the Senior Bowl.
And Robinson didn’t just show up - he made his presence felt. His first step was electric, his leverage was textbook, and he spent more time in the backfield than some running backs.
But what really raised eyebrows? A comparison from someone who would know.
Clif Marshall, longtime trainer of Bengals legend Geno Atkins, didn’t just throw Robinson’s name into the mix - he put him side by side with one of the best interior pass rushers of the past two decades. And he wasn’t vague about it. According to Marshall, both Robinson and Atkins benched 465 pounds, squatted “the house,” and share a rare blend of twitch, compact power, and elite leverage.
“Elite strength. Elite speed.
Elite leverage,” Marshall said. “That combination translates in the NFL.”
That’s not just hype - that’s a blueprint. And it’s one Bengals fans should pay attention to.
Now, let’s be clear: Geno Atkins was a fourth-round pick back in 2010, largely overlooked because of his size (6'1", 293 pounds). But once he got his shot, he didn’t just stick - he dominated. Over 161 games, Atkins racked up 75.5 sacks and became the gold standard for interior disruption in Cincinnati.
Robinson? He’s built similarly at 6'0", 287 pounds and comes with a résumé that’s hard to ignore.
Over the last two seasons at Navy, he totaled 125 tackles, 14 of them for loss, 10.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles. And in a fun twist, he even had three carries for 87 yards.
That’s not a typo.
But here’s where things get interesting. Robinson isn’t just a stat sheet warrior.
He’s a grinder. Playing at a service academy means balancing Division I football with an intense academic and military workload.
There’s no NIL windfall, no luxury of focusing solely on football. Everything he’s built has come through discipline, work ethic, and raw talent.
And NFL teams are taking notice. According to reports, Robinson met formally with 17 teams at the Shrine Bowl - the Bengals among them. That’s a clear sign he’s climbing boards.
Now, this year’s draft class is being billed as deep at defensive tackle, but it’s fair to question just how top-heavy that group really is. Some of the bigger names - Clemson’s Peter Woods, Florida’s Caleb Banks, Ohio State’s Kayden McDonald, and Georgia’s Christen Miller - all have tools, but none have separated themselves as can’t-miss interior pass rushers.
Woods and Banks might be fringe first-rounders, but they feel more like Day 2 picks. McDonald is a strong run defender, but his pass rush upside is still a question mark.
That’s where Robinson could sneak in and surprise people. His production, athletic profile, and relentless motor - combined with the mentorship of someone who helped shape Geno Atkins’ career - make him one of the most intriguing prospects in this class. And for a team like Cincinnati, which is desperate to reignite its interior pressure, he might be just the kind of player worth betting on.
He’s not a household name - yet. But if you’re looking for a high-upside player who checks the effort, athleticism, and intangibles boxes, Landon Robinson is a name to remember come April.
And if the Bengals are paying attention - and all signs suggest they are - this could be the start of something special.