Zaven Collins knows what it's like, and that's why he let out a small smile when asked what kind of advice he gives rookie first-round pick Darius Robinson.
Like Robinson, Collins was a first-round pick. Collins' rookie season was different than Robinson's -- Collins was healthy the whole time, as opposed to Robinson still trying to get on the field -- but stressful nonetheless. So yes, Collins has specific words of wisdom.
"People will put expectation on you, man," the outside linebacker said. "You've just got to go out and do you. Whatever it is, you have to go out and keep trying every day, come to work with your hard hat on. There are certain situations you can't control.
"What he's dealing with, it's a mental struggle also. It's hard. He wants to be out there, playing with us and helping the team. I get to talk to him and work with him, and tell him, 'You've just got to just work on you and keep doing you. There are plenty of games left for you to come back and do what you wanted to do. There is nothing that's going to stop you from that.'"
Robinson is "on track" to make his season debut on Sunday in Minnesota, coach Jonathan Gannon had said Monday. Robinson hurt his calf Aug. 22.
Collins played his whole rookie year, but he was being asked to play inside linebacker as a starter from jump, ahead of veteran Jordan Hicks -- which at the time, made for some awkwardness. Hicks eventually replaced Collins in the lineup that season.
Being a first-round pick is going to bring with it weight. Robinson's fellow first-rounder Marvin Harrison Jr. has felt it more than once this season. Paris Johnson Jr. heard some chatter last season too, although he played every snap and, at tackle, was harder to analyze for the casual fan.
Collins said he's tried to be like J.J. Watt was to him, a veteran resource for Robinson (although Watt is 10 years older than Collins and Collins only a couple years older than Robinson). Collins and Robinson work together post-practice, with Robinson asking questions often.
Robinson's pedigree as a first-round pick will show itself soon enough, Collins believes.
"He's confident as ever and he's ready to come back," Collins said. "It's definitely tough sometimes."
