Bengals select Naval Academy graduate Landon Robinson in seventh round
Cincinnati’s late draft pick targets a team he grew up supporting, aligning with head coach Zac Taylor’s focus on character and structure.
The Cincinnati Bengals have selected defensive lineman Landon Robinson in the seventh round of the NFL Draft, adding a player with a distinct military background to their roster. Robinson, a former student-athlete at the United States Naval Academy, was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Marine Corps upon his graduation. He is now utilising the discipline and structural rigour learned during his service to compete for a position in a defensive line unit that has seen significant investment this offseason.
Robinson’s selection came late on Day 3 of the draft, following the team’s earlier trade of their No. 10 pick to the New York Giants for defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence on Night 1. Despite the early depletion of their draft capital, the Bengals identified Robinson as a pre-draft standout, citing his solid workouts and strong interview performances as key factors in their decision. His arrival marks a full-circle moment for the player, who grew up in a Bengals-faithful household and targeted Cincinnati as a primary destination during the draft process.
The draft proceedings featured a notable live broadcast moment when Robinson’s Navy teammate, Eli Heidenreich, was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers two picks later. The simultaneous coverage highlighted the shared national service background of the two athletes, with the Steelers’ selection of Heidenreich occurring shortly after Cincinnati’s pick of Robinson. This sequence underscored the unique pipeline of disciplined athletes emerging from the Naval Academy, an institution not traditionally viewed as a primary source of NFL talent compared to other major NCAA conferences.
Head coach Zac Taylor has explicitly prioritised adding players who fit a specific cultural profile, favouring those with previous team captain designations, high academic achievements, and strong locker room integration. Robinson aligns with these criteria, having balanced rigorous academic and military obligations with collegiate football. Taylor’s approach emphasises character and leadership, qualities Robinson demonstrated through his ability to manage the demanding schedule of the Naval Academy, including early morning formations, academic work, and athletic training.
Robinson acknowledged the challenges of the transition, noting that he missed two weeks of his graduation and commission ceremony to attend pre-draft activities. He is now preparing for training camp, relying on the perseverance and time management skills honed at Annapolis to catch up on film study and physical preparation. With the defensive line rotation expected to be highly competitive, Robinson’s focus remains on applying the structure of his military training to secure a spot on the final roster.
