Penn State EDGE Chop Robinson is among the most athletic pass rushers in the 2024 NFL Draft. Robinson displayed his athleticism at the NFL Combine by running a 4.49 40 despite weighing nearly 255 pounds. Robinson also had a 34.5-inch vertical and 10-foot-8 broad jump.
Robinson recorded a career-high 4.0 sacks this past season. The Gaithersburg, Maryland native possesses an explosive first step to threaten the outside shoulder of opposing offensive tackles on a snap-by-snap basis. Robinson is relentless in his pursuit of quarterbacks.
Robinson is going to be a first-round pick. He's arguably a top-three pass-rushing prospect. We've identified three ideal fits for Robinson's services in the 2024 NFL Draft.
LOS ANGELES RAMS
The Rams are reeling from Aaron Donald's retirement. General manager Les Snead had already entered the offseason searching for more pass rushers that could impact opposing quarterbacks. That need became exacerbated when Donald announced his retirement.
Robinson obviously plays a different position altogether, but he'd pair nicely opposite Byron Young, who recorded 8.0 sacks as a rookie. Snead needs to pair Young with another athletic edge rusher to ensure his defense contains two pass-rushing threats on both sides of the defensive line. Robinson is a potential target at No. 19.
On the interior, Kobie Turner, who posted a team-high 9.0 sacks as a rookie, will do his best to help the defense replace Donald by committee. There's no such thing as a like-for-like replacement for a first-ballot Hall of Famer. Robinson would be a quality addition to a defensive line that already possesses ascending talent.
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS
The 49ers love to rotate defensive linemen in and out of the lineup. Difficulties against the salary cap have forced them to let Chase Young and Arik Armstead get away from them this offseason. Javon Kinlaw and Clelin Ferrell also signed elsewhere in free agency.
Leonard Floyd and Yetur Gross-Matos were signed to shrewd, affordable short-term contracts as replacements, but is either one going to command an every-down role opposite Nick Bosa? Drake Jackson also appears ready to take another step forward, but I get the sense John Lynch will continue adding to this group. New defensive coordinator Nick Sorensen will appreciate having options. Robinson should be on San Francisco's shortlist if he's available with the 31st pick.
ARIZONA CARDINALS
Cardinals general manager Monti Ossenfort is currently equipped with six top-100 selections. One of the biggest items on Ossenfort's to-do list is to address a 30th-ranked pass rush that accumulated just 33 sacks throughout the 2023 campaign. That will pain defensive-minded head coach Jonathan Gannon, who recently coached one of the most productive defensive lines in history as the Eagles’ defensive coordinator. The difference in talent between that unit and this one is astronomical.
The Cardinals should target a blue-chipper like Marvin Harrison Jr. with the fourth overall pick. Ossenfort must then shift his attention to a pass rusher of Robinson's mold with the 27th or 35th selection. The current depth chart has the likes of Zaven Collins, L.J. Collier, and B.J. Ojulari in starring roles. Robinson would be an instant starter for Gannon up front.
