2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Chop Robinson

Strengths

• Explosive first step, gets to top speed extremely quickly
• Extremely flexible pass rusher who can bend the edge
• Flattens to the QB to shorten path
• Quick twitch athleticism
• Nose for the ball with three strip sacks in career
• Quickness to shoot gaps in the run game
• Good functional length
• Uses hands well to swat OTs hands away
• Converts speed to power when he needs to
• Nonstop motor

Weaknesses

• Has a limited pass-rush arsenal: If speed rush doesn't work, he doesn't currently have a counter
• Can be taken out of the game by a simple chip
• Played in a heavy rotation, lots of fresh-leg reps
• Needs to develop a better feel for an inside move to complement his explosiveness
• Run defense is predicated on shooting gaps, but he struggles to set an edge and disengage from blockers
• Scheme-dependent, some teams will have him low on their boards
• Only 40 tackles in three seasons and 10 missed tackles
• Under 500 pass-rush snaps in his career, 250+ fewer than the other top edge rushers

Final Thoughts and Chicago Bears Fit for Chop Robinson

Before the 2023 season, Robinson was listed in Bruce Feldman's annual "Freak List" at No. 9. It was high praise for the young player, and Bruce took it one step further by comparing him to former Penn State linebacker Micah Parsons. That's a lofty comparison I will not make, but I also don't hate it. Either way, there's no denying that Robinson moves differently than the other guys on the field.

Not only does he move differently, but he also looks different from the other Chicago Bears' defensive ends. And for a while, I saw that as a reason why the Bears wouldn't be interested. But his being different from what they currently have makes him more appealing.

His explosiveness, bend, and speed are elements missing from Chicago's current rotation, making him an ideal complement to the power profiles of Montez Sweat and DeMarcus Walker. They can be the guys setting the edge on early downs, allowing Robinson to enter for obvious pass situations where his explosiveness and athleticism can shine. At the very least, teams would have to leave an extra running back or tight end to chip him, which disrupts the offense's timing. This was the Bears' thought when drafting Dominique Robinson, but that has yet to pan out. They might want to invest a higher draft pick in that profile.

Chop's explosiveness and movement skills made him a nightmare for college offensive tackles, and it's easy to envision him adjusting to a pass-rush specialist role early on in his NFL career with the chance to develop into even more down the road. He also was in a heavy rotation at Penn State, so he was well-rested with fresh legs against tired college offensive linemen. It's unclear if he would have the same success if asked to play more when he can't go 100 MPH each snap.

But Robinson can be a one-trick pony, and more athletic offensive linemen will be able to match his speed more consistently. To succeed in the NFL, he must develop more pass-rush counters for when his speed rush fails. He flashes converting speed to power and an inside move, but he needs to be more consistent. An inside spin move would also help keep linemen off balance and prevent them from over-setting to match his speed.

Robinson's relentless motor and competitive toughness will make him a favorite of NFL general managers. I'm skeptical about whether he can be a three-down player in the NFL, but there's no doubt he can get after the quarterback.

NFL Comparison: Haason Reddick (Ceiling) | Vic Beasley (Likely Outcome)