Patriots starting guard Layden Robinson reflects on rookie year: ‘Good starting point, wasn’t perfect, got my feet wet’

MISSOURI CITY – Layden Robinson kept building his confidence and blocking skills as a rookie, overcoming a somewhat rough start in the NFL as a newly-minted starter.

Following a shift from right guard to left guard, the New England Patriots’ starting offensive lineman found his comfort zone. He allowed no sacks and just one quarterback hit in five consecutive starts on the left side to close out his first NFL season.

Now, the former Texas A&M and Manvel standout is looking forward to keeping the momentum going as he continues to establish himself under new coach Mike Vrabel. Drafted in the fourth round last year, Robinson started 11 of 13 games as a rookie and graded out better and better as the season went on.

“I feel like I had a good starting point,” Robinson told KPRC 2 during former Aggies teammate Ainias Smith’s youth football camp at Freedom Church Center. “You know, it wasn’t perfect, but I feel like I got my feet wet my rookie year. So, I feel like it was a success, in my opinion. Now, it’s just me building and keep getting better every day and not being satisfied for what happened last year.

“It’s a whole new year and you know it’s a bigger target on everybody’s back. And just going out there just playing ball, it’s evolving. So, that’s the best thing about this game. You’re never set. You always learn new stuff and you’re always getting better. So, the game don’t pass you by. It’s just a great thing for me to be out there and just be blessed."

From the Patriots’ draft class last season, they hit on franchise quarterback Drake Maye obviously. And Robinson, a 6-foot-3, 302-pound former second-team All-Southeastern Conference selection who has run the 40-yard dash in 5.09 seconds and is a strong run blocker and an improving pass protector.

When Robinson allowed four sacks and four quarterback hits to begin the season, he was replaced by veteran Michael Onwenu at right guard. When Michael Jordan was released, the Patriots reinserted Robinson as the starter on the left side. He played 602 total snaps last season, including 366 pass blocking snaps and 236 run plays.

Now, he’ll play for Vrabel. Vrabel is a former All-Pro outside linebacker and Tennessee Titans coach who rejoined the NFL head coaching ranks after spending last season working with the Cleveland Browns.

“It’s so fun, the energy that he brings to the team and just how he holds everybody accountable and just that he wants to turn everything around and he wants our team to be great,” Robinson said. “Just having a coach like that with all the energy he has and what he wants to pour into the team, he’s leading by example too. I’d say that’s just been the best part just being there and seeing that and I can’t wait to see everything turn around for good."

Vrabel is known as literally a hands-on coach. When he was an assistant with the Texans, he wanted players like J.J. Watt, Jadeveon Clowney and Whitney Mercilus to rough him up to test their technique and toughness.

“He helped us with some of the drills,” Robinson said. “He was holding bags at one point, We’re gonna get more into everything.”

The Patriots are a work in progress, but have taken some steps toward becoming more competitive in the AFC East.

The Patriots have added free agents Stefon Diggs, Milton Williams, Harold Landry III and Mack Hollins.

“Getting the pieces that we need, whatever they feel is the need for us, we just have to adjust and keep going forward,” Robinson said. “We all know it’s a building block and that we just got to take our time to get to where we want to go, but we just put all of our trust in the front office and all of trust in our coaches and they put their trust in us to lead us where we want to go.”

Robinson started every game for the Aggies in his final season.

As a junior he started all 12 games and earned the team’s Toughness award and strength and conditioning award. He blocked for 1,000-yard rusher and future Miami Dolphins draft pick De’Von Achane.

“My run blocking is a real plus for me,” Robinson said. “That’s what I pride myself on: how I come off the ball and clear out gaps. That’s my strongest attribute.

“On pass blocking, I feel like the sky is the limit. I can definitely get a lot better at things technically. I’ve seen things I’ve noticed on film and with my trainer and how I can correct those things.”

He became a starter as a sophomore.

At Manvel, he was an all-district and all-star game selection. He was named an Offensive Player of the Year finalist by the Houston Touchdown Club.

When Robinson isn’t playing football, he’s a huge pro wrestling fan. He grew up watching Stone Cold Steve Austin, the Rock and many others.

Robinson is also a huge Food Network fan and a budding chef.

“I watched Bobby Flay with my mom growing up,” Robinson said. “I love Diners, Drive-ins and Dives. I actually went to one of those restaurants Guy Fieri put on the show, Cool Runnings, Jamaican restaurant in Houston when I was little. I love to cook, My favorite dish to make is marinating steaks and cooking them on the grill.”

Robinson is also into video games.

“My favorite game of all-time is Assassin’s Creed,” he said. “Ranked second is probably Batman, then WWE And Spiderman.”

At the football camp, Robinson imparted a lot of knowledge about life in the trenches.

“I just hope to share with these kids that it’s a great experience of how to fall in love with the game of football and just how that can just take you through life and also take you through this recruiting process, too,” Robinson said. “I’m just here to give them any advice that they may need and also just teach them a good technique so they can have a great base.

“Just a blessing to be here and also help my brother out because we’ve been growing up together for a while and his family has done a lot for me growing up. Being blessed and being able to get back to these kids, this is just very helpful for me and I just love doing it."

Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com.