The Detroit Lions barnstormed to the doorstep of the Super Bowl last season, as Aiden Hutchinson continued his ascent among the elite pass rushers in the NFL, but could look to add the perfect complement to their young rusher in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Last season, the Lions‘ pass-rush left much to be desired, finishing with just 41 sacks, the 10th-fewest in the league as Hutchinson accounted for 11.5 of those sacks.
Help could be on the way, as the Lions are in prime position to target one of the most explosive pass-rushers in this year’s class, Penn State’s Chop Robinson.
Detroit Lions Linked to Chop Robinson in the NFL Draft
Robinson’s elite athleticism has been on full display during the past two seasons in Happy Valley, following his transfer from the University of Maryland before the 2022 campaign.
Across 22 games in a Penn State uniform, Robinson logged 9.5 sacks, 17.5 tackles for loss, and 31 total tackles.
According to ESPN’s Matt Miller, Robinson could be an ideal fit opposite Hutchinson along the Lions’ defensive line. Miller projects Robinson as the Lions’ selection with the No. 29 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, in his latest mock.
“The Lions stick to their board,” Miller writes . “In 2023, that meant going running back and off-ball linebacker in Round 1. But I think Detroit targets a premium position this year. Robinson has electric speed (4.48 in the 40) and first-step quickness, getting on offensive tackles right off the snap. His production in college was limited — just four sacks last season — but this is a bet on his burst and potential. I like his skill set opposite Aidan Hutchinson.”
Chop Robinson NFL Draft Scouting Report
Hutchinson showed the value of having an elite pass-rusher, but the San Francisco 49ers, Philadelphia Eagles, and several top contenders around the league have proven that few things matter more to the trajectory of a defense than a dominant pass-rush duo.
Robinson’s elite get-off and bend off the edge make him a potential nightmare for opposing offensive tackles and a game-wrecker in the pocket.
“Edge defender who offers the type of elite athleticism we’ve seen from players like Micah Parsons and Myles Garrett,” NFL Media’s Lance Zierlein writes of Robinson. “Robinson might not be as fast as Parsons, but he’s close. He’s ultra-twitchy with the explosiveness to get on top of blockers and overwhelm them in an instant.
“However, he will need to level up his hand skills and attack angles to reach his potential against NFL tackles. Robinson’s electric athletic traits alone should give him a floor as a good NFL starter.”
Pro Football Focus points out that Robinson added 61 quarterback pressures over the past three seasons while crediting the explosive edge rusher with an elite 92.3 pass-rush grade and 90.8 overall mark.
Robinson’s athletic traits and measurables offer plenty of upside and could elevate Detroit’s already young and swarming defense in coming years.
