Chop Robinson – Defensive End – 21 years old – Junior – Penn State
Height: 1m91
Weight: 115 kg
2023 stats: 15 tackles (including 7 and a half for loss), 4 sacks, 2 forced fumbles and a covered fumble
Estimated position in the draft: 1st round
NFL Comparison: Jason Pierre-Paul
Some have cuter nicknames than others. Barely born, the man his parents call Demeioun also receives a funny nickname: “pork-chop”, meaning “pork chop”. An allusion linked to the plump face of their new toddler. Beyond this funny nickname, now shortened to “chop”, Robinson took care to make a name for himself in the university ranks, to assert himself in the draft as one of the most intriguing prospects in the field. plateau.
The strengths of Chop Robinson
- First devastating step
- Good changes of direction
- Permanent activity
- Ability to pick up
Chop Robinson's first real undeniable strength is undoubtedly his athletic profile. Equipped with a solid size, the Penn State defender is a model of speed and liveliness at the whistle. Just his first step is a model of its kind, to the point of making him the best player on the board in this register, or even potentially one of the very best upon his arrival in the league.
Once in the game, if there is one thing that we cannot blame the player for, it is his lack of involvement. Lively and aggressive, he is capable of constantly putting his engine into action and failing that, taking tackles that are a little too dilettante. Given its size, even its bull rush has something to surprise the offensive lines.
Composed with good support and a solid center of gravity, Robinson knows how to be reactive with good changes of direction, which can allow him to easily pursue a runner on an outside play, or even to stall on a screen pass.
Chop Robinson's weak points
- Upper body
- Directory of moves
- Deceptive instincts
The talent is astonishing, and the versatility undeniable. Yet the main thing that's scary about Robinson is his lack of production in one of the most intimidating defenses in college. And this can be explained by different factors.
First of all: its range of movements. Able to circumvent or bull rusher, the Maryland native struggles to find more elaborate options when plan A doesn't work, especially against more dominant tackles. Add to this a penalizing arm length and sometimes too approximate hand positioning, and you can quickly find yourself with a player who is quickly excluded from the action.
Beyond the duel itself, Robinson's instincts can play tricks on him. Very voluntary, he can anticipate too much and release running lines, knowing that he attacks more often from the outside than the inside.
Possible destinations
Buffalo Bills, Baltimore Ravens, Philadelphia Eagles, Atlanta Falcons, Arizona Cardinals, Los Angeles Rams
It's easy to put labels on players, but difficult today not to consider Chop Robinson as a project. Spent for a short period at Maryland, then at Penn State, the player has a valuable arsenal at his disposal, but still struggles to exploit its full benefits, due to football IQ and technique to improve. Given his ability as an “edge-setter” (pass rusher capable of defending on the run) and as a breaker against the pass, number 44 has serious arguments to play massively as an outside linebacker in a 3-4 system . But we should probably not expect miracles from his rookie season, despite the excitement he will generate after the draft.
