Chop Robinson ‘Pass Rush Specialist’

When it came to the game film for Penn State edge rusher Demeioun “Chop” Robinson, I let his game film write this scouting report.

I do that with all the prospects.

All I do is write down what they do in my notes (available on Instagram) and pull out the tendencies and patterns over a sustained period.

I like Robinson ⎯ FUN PLAYER TO WATCH.

This was especially true versus Auburn (2022) and against Iowa and UMASS (2023). I wonder even if he might be out of position as an edge rusher and shouldn’t be moved to an off-the-ball linebacker spot.

The dude can run like the wind and he showed he can cover.

Beating Blockers

That’s where this story goes sideways.

Robinson has a lot of strengths, but outmuscling the big boys on the offensive line is not one of them.

SCOUTS WOULD SAY ‘HE’S LIGHT IN THE A**’

I know ⎯I heard the term in the Jets building.

Robinson has no ‘off-switch,’ so that’s not the problem. He fights, scratches, claws, and kicks to disrupt the pocket. However, it’s like watching a big brother playing ‘keep away’ from his little brother in the backyard (especially against Ohio State in 2022).

Now granted, if Robinson even gets an inch of leverage to the outside or inside shoulder of blockers, he will press and drive into that ‘space’ with all of his might. I love that about him. He’s got everything a team would want except brute power.

How does Robinson win?

His best bet is to speed rush to the back door of the pocket and turn the corner with the quarterback in his crosshairs.

Robinson has long arms and good hand technique at the point of attack. He’s athletic and he’s active as a hornet’s nest. Teams must account for him.

TENACIOUS

This defender excels at inside “X” stunts looping to the inside and shooting that gap. Penn State schemed to move him all over the place trying to find a favorable matchup for him.

FIRING HIM INTO GAPS IS THE IDEA

I think he’s faster than his recorded track speed. He is closer to Cowboys’ Micah Parsons kind of playing speed (which is the interesting part because they are from the same school). I’m not saying he’s that fast, but he plays fast.

LOVE THE HUSTLE BY #44

Fingers crossed

This is typically the case. It comes down to fit from the team’s perspective and also ⎯from the prospects’ perspective.

This one especially.

ROBINSON NEEDS TO GO TO AN NFL TEAM THAT SCHEMES TO HIS STRENGTHS

If I was an NFL GM, I would line him up in the ‘wide-9‘ spot and sit back and smile.

#44 Chop Robinson 6-foot-3, 250 pounds

Daniel Kelly’s 2024 NFL Draft Grade: First-Round (I would select him)

Projected by 71.3% of the NFL Draft Community to be a first-round pick as of February 22, 2024 (nflmockdraftdatabase.com)

2022 game film reviewed: Auburn, Ohio State, Michigan, and Northwestern (click to view games watched to form this evaluation)

2023 game film reviewed: Illinois, West Virginia, Iowa, UMASS and Michigan State

2023 stats: 15 tackles (12 solo), 3 assists, 7.5 tackles for loss, and 18 hurries

Injury (2023): Twitter/X

Injury (2023): Details

Note (sack totals): 2021: 2.0, 2022: 5.5, 2023: 4.0

Note: 34 hurries in 2022 (Pro Football Focus)

2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report

Menacing athletic speed leverage pass rusher with a high motor who lacks the necessary playing strength to match up consistently. Lower-end career sack and tackling production. Tied up with blockers too much in the pass and run game. Flashes fast first step. Gets into blockers. Tough. Physical. Can extend and lock out. Bullrush stalls out. Showed head-fake. Can spring into pocket once freed up inside. Decent (not great) change of direction. Fast straight-line close. Quarterback minded. Hustles. Hunts and chases. Tries his best against the run. Can disappear. Ends up by the pile a lot. Sometimes overpursues lanes. Limited.

Final words

I see him more as a specialist ‘role player’ than a 3-down defensive lineman.

Daniel Kelly is a former NFL Scout with the New York Jets. He was hired on the regime which featured Bill Parcells, Bill Belichick, Scott Pioli, Mike Tannenbaum, and Dick Haley. He is currently the Editor-in-Chief for First Round Mock, contributes at Yardbarker, and has written for Sports Illustrated Lions, Jets, and 49ers, as well as a featured guest on ESPN Radio and Fox Sports Radio. For more information about him visit his website at whateverittakesbook.com. He can be followed on Twitter @firstroundmock.