Tag: Chop Robinson

Dolphins select Chop Robinson at pick No. 21 in NFL draft

The Dolphins picked pass rusher Chop Robinson 21st overall in the first round of the NFL draft.

The Miami Dolphins selected Penn State edge defender Demeioun “Chop” Robinson with the 21st overall pick in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft in Detroit on Thursday night.

Robinson (6-3, 254 pounds) ran a 40-yard dash in 4.48 seconds and a 10-yard split in 1.54 seconds at the NFL combine earlier this offseason. He started his college career at Maryland in 2021, totaling two sacks as a freshman.

Robinson then transferred to PSU ahead of the 2022 season. He recorded 10 tackles behind the line and 5.5 sacks in his first year with the Nittany Lions.

Last fall, Robinson totaled 7.5 tackles behind the line, four sacks, two forced fumbles, one pass breakup and one fumble recovery in 12 games.

NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein has compared Robinson to Micah Parsons, a three-time Pro Bowler who was a first-round pick in 2021.

Jeff Risdon of Draft Wire has Robinson ranked as the fifth-best pass rusher in this year’s class behind Dallas Turner, Laiatu Latu, Jared Verse and Marshawn Kneeland.

Robinson enters the NFL as a 21-year-old rookie.

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Dolphins pick Penn State EDGE Chop Robinson in 2024 NFL draft

The Dolphins added an edge rusher to the roster by picking Penn State’s Chop Robinson in the first round.

The Miami Dolphins picked Penn State pass rusher Demeioun “Chop” Robinson with the No. 21 overall selection in the 2024 NFL draft.

Robinson, 21, was a First-Team All-Big Ten selection in his final season with the Nittany Lions, recording 7.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles as a junior before forgoing his senior season.

While the Dolphins have a pair of star edge rushers in Jaelan Phillips and Bradley Chubb, both suffered season-ending injuries in 2023. Phillips went down with an Achilles tear in November and Chubb suffered an ACL tear on New Year’s Eve.

Additionally, the Dolphins cut Emmanuel Ogbah to save cap space and lost Andrew Van Ginkel in free agency. While the team signed veteran Shaquil Barrett in free agency, the team had lackluster depth at the position and an uncertain situation heading into Week 1.

Other players on the board after the top 20 picks included Duke offensive lineman Graham Barton, Texas wide receiver Xavier Worthy, and Illinois defensive tackle Jer’Zhan Newton.

The Dolphins are scheduled to make their next pick in the second round Friday at No. 55 overall. The team currently doesn’t own a third- or fourth-round pick after that selection.

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Miami Dolphins select Penn State EDGE Chop Robinson with the 21st overall pick. Grade: B

Chop Robinson gives the Dolphins’ pass rush all kinds of speed and juice, but he’ll need to be schemed up for success.

This seemed like a smart place for Chop Robinson to land. I didn’t have him graded as I did Laiatu Latu, Jared Verse, or Dallas Turner, but those guys were all gone at 21, and there’s a bit of a drop after Robinson to the second tier of edge defenders. As long as Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver puts it together for Robinson so he can use his blinding speed to the pocket as his primary attribute, it’s all good. He’s a bit of a one-trick pony at this point, but the one trick is pretty impressive. 

A four-star recruit out of Quince Orchard High School in Gaithersburg, Maryland, Demeioun “Chop” Robinson began his collegiate career with the Maryland Terrapins in 2021, racking up two sacks and 13 total pressures in just 82 pass-rushing snaps. He then transferred to Penn State in time for the 2022 season, which is when his pass-rush profile really expanded. Then, he had five sacks and 48 total pressures in 267 pass-rushing snaps, along with 16 solo tackles and 17 stops.

2023 looked to be another strong season for the 6′ 2⅞”, 254-pound Robinson, but he worked through injuries, and had three sacks and 26 total pressures in 148 pass-rushing snaps.

Robinson’s resume is smaller than one might like as a result, but the tape tells a clear story — he’s got speed and athleticism for the EDGE position that you rarely see. He’ll need some schematic assistance to bring out everything at the NFL level, but he’s got a lot of rocket sauce.

PLUSES

— Ridiculous combine measurables show up on tape; Robinson is so fast off the snap and will defeat tackles with that first step if his opponents aren’t set.

— Can knife through double teams as an inside mug rusher and a stand-up 3-tech or nose. Has a really nice feint crossover move and an exceptional inside counter.

— Works around the arc smoothly, and has the ability to lean into the turn to get under the blocker’s hands.

— Uses leverage against the blocker to further accentuate his speed when he closes to the pocket.

— Slap/swat move around the edge can be lethal; tackles had better be ready for it.

— Not a particularly powerful defender, but he’ll get speed-to-power bull-rushes.

MINUSES

— Robinson’s speed allows him to beat double teams before they’re set, but if they are set, he can be negated by power pretty quickly.

— Blockers who align to him in time can eat his lunch. This will probably be even more of an NFL issue.

— Could stand to accentuate his hand work, especially in those power situations.

— Can create tackles for loss in the run game with that quickness, but if you need a guy to grapple through the snap, that’s not his fastball.

— Has a nice sense of control for all that speed, but there is the occasional inevitable whiff.

Robinson has one speed — balls-out, all the time. You’re not adding him to your team to win with power; you’re doing so to rain pure hell in the backfield over and over. That he did exceedingly well in college, and with a few tweaks, he’ll be dynamic-to-dominant in the NFL.

How did the Vikings fare in Daniel Jeremiah’s final NFL mock draft?

Daniel Jeremiah predicted the Texans trading up last year. His prediction for the Vikings this year should excite fans.

Daniel Jeremiah of NFL Media has the benefit of having experience within an NFL draft room and being in the media landscape. Because of that unusual connection, he has reliable sources that make his mock drafts more accurate than most.

Last year he predicted the Houston Texans, who held the second overall selection, trading up to get No. 3 as well. In 2024, Jeremiah has the Minnesota Vikings taking a similarly bold choice by standing pat and not trading up for a quarterback. Instead, a quarterback was predicted to fall to them. Vikings fans can take a deep breath if that happens.

J.J. McCarthy falls down to No. 11 in Jeremiah’s mock draft, meaning the Vikings get their man. Not only do they get their quarterback, but they do it without mortgaging the future. McCarthy will need some time to adjust to the NFL system and his way of being a passer, but he projects very well in Minnesota.

With their second pick of the first round, the Minnesota Vikings were able to land highly athletic pass rusher Chop Robinson. The Penn State alum has been projected from the middle of Round 1 to the middle of Round 2. Not many players have that type of range, but that is because they don’t have the upside of Robinson.

Giving McCarthy the likes of Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, then giving Robinson the opportunity to line up alongside Jonathan Greenard, should excite everyone.

This is the best-case scenario for the team, period. They need to keep as much draft capital as possible while adding a quarterback. This is the path to do just that.

Final 2024 NFL Mock Draft: Russell Brown predicts 4 trades with 5 quarterbacks drafted in the first round

The final 2024 NFL Mock Draft from Lions Wire’s Russell Brown predicts 4 trades with 5 quarterbacks drafted in the first round

It’s the best weekend of the year! I cannot wait to get to Downtown Detroit to walk the city, do radio and talk with all of the great fans in the NFL. It’s been great going through the draft process to figure out which players go to each team.

Over the last two drafts (2022 and 2023), there’s only been a total of 3 trades occurring on the day of each draft. In this draft, I predict that we’ll see 4 trades and 5 quarterbacks selected in the first round. Let’s take a look at which players go where in the 2024 NFL Draft!

  1. Chicago Bears (via CAR) – Caleb Williams, QB, USC

This one has been evident for months now. Especially after the Bears traded Justin Fields to the Steelers, there’s no bigger need for Chicago than to get this pick right. One of the top players in the draft and to me, the best quarterback in the draft, Caleb Williams is the pick. 

  1. Washington Commanders – Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU

Whether it’s unclear which quarterback the Commanders prefer, one thing we do know is that they seem likely to keep this pick. With that, I think the quarterback that makes the most sense is Jayden Daniels. His touch downfield is great and his mobility is even better. He’ll be a weapon for offensive coordinators and it would be a wise choice for the Commanders to tap into his potential and his skill-set. 

  1. New England Patriots – Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina 

For weeks I’ve had Drake Maye penciled into this spot so my guess is as good as yours, folks. Also, would the Patriots really trade back to salvage their opportunity for potentially their next signal caller? Their roster is bad and they sure could use a left tackle but I’ll have them stay at this spot despite the trade talk. With that, I think Maye is a good selection to jump start their new regime in Foxborough. 

  1. Arizona Cardinals – Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State

Even though it’s fun to predict a trade back scenario for the Cardinals, it doesn’t make a lot of sense to pass on the best player in the draft. After all, the Cardinals have 6 picks in the top-100 and that includes two selections in the first round. They can get aggressive later in the draft but for now, they should stay put and take Harrison Jr., to give quarterback Kyler Murray a true number one receiver. 

  1. Los Angeles Chargers – Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame 

I’ve gone back and forth about a trade down with the Vikings and other teams but I just can’t see it happening right now. With that, we all know that Jim Harbaugh loves the offensive line and wants to run the football. Protecting Justin Herbert is a wise plan for Harbaugh as well so this selection makes sense. Part of me considered J.C. Latham in this spot as I’ve had multiple sources tell me that “Harbaugh loves him.” However, I think they’ll stick with the best tackle in the draft. Alt is athletic enough to play left or right tackle for the Chargers. 

  1. New York Giants – Rome Odunze, WR, Washington 

It’s no secret that the Giants have been researching the quarterbacks in this draft. I’d be somewhat surprised if they took Michael Penix Jr., in this spot but I guess anything is possible. Meanwhile, it sounds like they’re “off” on McCarthy. That said, I think Rome Odunze is just a home run pick for the Giants because he’s different from most receivers they have on the roster. They pass on the signal caller and reassess the draft board on day two.  

  1. Tennessee Titans – J.C. Latham, OT, Alabama 

If Joe Alt is here, I think it’s a sprint to the podium spot for the Titans. With him gone, I think the Titans could pivot to Malik Nabers or one of the defensive players but ultimately, they need to ensure that Will Levis is well protected. J.C. Latham is a good athlete for his size and has some of the strongest hands of any tackle in the class.

  1. Indianapolis Colts (Mock Trade with Atlanta) – Malik Nabers, WR, LSU 

There’s been speculation that Nabers could be the first WR off the board. If he’s not, I think he falls right into this 8 or 9 range. There could be a deal that occurs from the Buffalo Bills or even the Los Angeles Rams but I think the Colts make sense by taking full advantage of quarterback Anthony Richardson being on a rookie deal. Adding Nabers gives them legit playmakers all over the field and makes them one of the more fun offenses in the league.

Mock Trade Details:

  • ATL Receives: 2024 1st-Round Pick (15th overall) and 2024 2nd-Round Pick (46th overall)
  • IND Receives: 2024 1st-Round Pick (8th overall)

 

  1. Chicago Bears – Byron Murphy, IDL, Texas 

I could see Dallas Turner or Brock Bowers in this spot but ultimately, I think this would be a terrific addition for the Bears. As much as I like Gervon Dexter and Zacch Pickens in the middle of their defensive line, Murphy provides more as a pass-rusher and a run defender. He could be a plug-and-play starter to help prevent the potential threats that the offenses in the NFC North present. 

  1. New York Jets – Taliese Fuaga, OT, Oregon State 

Went back and forth for about a week between Bowers and Fuaga but ultimately, I landed on Fuaga. That was the player that the Jets fell in love with at the Senior Bowl and with Joe Douglas being an offensive line guy, this just makes sense. This gives them guard and tackle flexibility to start the season and if anything were to happen with Tyron Smith or Morgan Moses, I think Fuaga can slide right into a starting tackle role for the Jets. 

  1. Minnesota Vikings – J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan 

I could see the Vikings getting antsy and moving up but the more I talk with those connected to the Vikings, the thought is that they will keep the 11th and 23rd overall picks. With that, McCarthy falls right into the Vikings lap and they take their quarterback of the future. I think McCarthy is a great fit for Kevin O’Connell’s offense and him having Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison should bode well for his success. 

  1. Denver Broncos – Dallas Turner, EDGE, Alabama 

It wouldn’t surprise me if a team moved up for a pass-catcher or a cornerback in this spot. That said, Dallas Turner would be the best player available for the Broncos and that’s exactly what this team needs to do currently. Take the best player available and figure out who’s playing quarterback later. 

  1. Las Vegas Raiders – Troy Fautanu, OT, Washington 

Similar to the Broncos, the Raiders just need to add good football players. Despite the connections and interest in Michael Penix Jr, I think the Raiders will be interested in an offensive tackle such as Troy Fautanu. He’s athletic enough to play anywhere on the offensive line and certainly has the arm length necessary to play tackle. 

 

  1. New Orleans Saints – Olu Fashanu, OT, Penn State 

There could be a scenario where Fashanu is off the board in this spot but ultimately, he ends up falling in the lap of the Saints. We all know about the left and right tackle needs for the Saints due to concerns of Ryan Ramczyk’s knee. With that, Fashanu should be a plug-and-play starter at either tackle position with great length and ability to anchor consistently. 

 

  1. Atlanta Falcons (Mock Trade with Indianapolis) – Laiatu Latu, EDGE, UCLA 

Fatu or Turner are real possibilities at 8th overall but with the Colts projected to move up, the Falcons are able to acquire additional capital and still get their guy. Latu is the best pure pass rusher in this draft and the only hold up for him to be locked into the top-10 is the medical concerns with his neck.

Mock Trade Details:

  • ATL Receives: 2024 1st-Round Pick (15th overall) and 2024 2nd-Round Pick (46th overall)
  • IND Receives: 2024 1st-Round Pick (8th overall)
  1. Philadelphia Eagles (Mock Trade with Seattle) – Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo 

For the last two days, we continuously hear about the Eagles having interest in a cornerback. The name that continues to be mentioned is Quinyon Mitchell and it’s easy to see why any team needing help at cornerback would have him at the top of their board. This could be a smoke screen to force other teams to draft a cornerback so a pass-catcher or offensive tackle gets within the reaching distance of the Eagles. For now, they add Mitchell to their secondary as he’s got some of the click-and-close ability of any cornerback we’ve seen in awhile. 

Mock Trade Details:

  • SEA Receives: 2024 1st Round Pick (22nd overall) and 2024 2nd Round Pick (53rd overall)
  • PHI Receives: 2024 1st Round Pick (16th overall) and 2024 3rd Round Pick (81st overall)
  1. Jacksonville Jaguars – Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama 

It’ll be interesting where teams value Arnold as he’s a bit of a “wild man” with his lower body technique. However, his physicality and praise from Nick Saban won’t go unnoticed from NFL decision makers. The Jaguars need help on the perimeter and with teams like the Texans and Colts getting better on offense, this defense needs to stop the bleeding. 

 

  1. Cincinnati Bengals – Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia 

Where does Bowers fit in the first round? If it’s not the Bears at 9 or Jets at 10, it feels like he slips outside of the top-15. Especially if the Colts trade up for a receiver. So with that, the Bowers’ fall stops here. By adding Bowers, the Bengals give themselves a legitimate receiving threat and it allows them to use their other tight end, Drew Sample in more of a blocking role while in max protection to keep Joe Burrow upright. That’s exactly what the LSU Tigers did with Burrow in college and it would be wise to consider it here for the Bengals. 

 

  1. Los Angeles Rams – Jared Verse, EDGE, Florida State 

Could we see Amarius Mims in this spot? It could happen and one name that’s been mentioned is Chop Robinson. However, Jared Verse is a top-15 player in this draft and he’d be a great fit for a defensive line that just lost Aaron Donald. Verse may not be an interior player but he should be able to align in multiple spots while having the speed-to-power needed to disrupt the pocket. 

 

  1. Pittsburgh Steelers – Graham Barton, IOL, Duke 

Sure feels like the Steelers have been connected to interior offensive lineman for much of the draft process. Preferably a center. With Barton staring them in the face, this just feels like a player they would take and we’d watch him carve out a starting role for the next 10-to-12 years in black and gold. Barton is a strong run blocker that looks to finish those blocks consistently and he’s athletic enough to play anywhere needed for the Steelers. 

 

  1. Miami Dolphins – Xavier Worthy, WR, Texas 

The two most common names brought to my attention for the Dolphins are Verse and Worthy. With Verse gone, the Dolphins select Worthy here and it makes all the sense in the world. Their offense already has one of the most explosive players in the league with Tyreek Hill and by adding Worthy, this just helps this offense take another step. There’s a lot of holes on the roster so I wouldn’t rule out a trade down with a team like the Cardinals but for now, they stay put and add another playmaker to their offense. 

 

  1. Seattle Seahawks (Mock Trade with Philadelphia) – Cooper Dejean, CB, Iowa 

This would be a perfect scenario for the Seahawks as they get additional draft capital and a player I’d have them take at 16th overall. Dejean just fits what Mike Macdonald could use for his defense with the cover 3 and quarters coverage that he runs. Dejean could play cornerback or safety and would be able to contribute on special teams as a returner. 

Mock Trade Details:

  • SEA Receives: 2024 1st Round Pick (22nd overall) and 2024 2nd Round Pick (53rd overall)
  • PHI Receives: 2024 1st Round Pick (16th overall) and 2024 3rd Round Pick (81st overall)
  1. Minnesota Vikings – Jer’Zhan Newton, IDL, Illinois

If the Vikings keep the 23rd overall pick, I think they end up landing on a defensive player like Darius Robinson or Jer’Zhan “Johnny” Newton. Reason I mention Robinson is because at the Senior Bowl two years ago, I heard Brian Flores just talking about the speed-to-power that Derrick Hall had and I could see the same thing about Robinson. That said, I think Newton is a first round type of player and he’d be a great addition to the Vikings bone thin interior defensive line. Newton has quick hands and he shows a good motor in run support. 

 

  1. Dallas Cowboys – Tyler Guyton, OT, Oklahoma 

The Cowboys draft plan should be about adding talent to their offensive line and a running back. With no running back worthy of a first round selection, Tyler Guyton is the player that makes a lot of sense for Dallas. They need a starting right tackle and if Guyton can stay healthy, he can certainly be that type of player at some point as a rookie. He’s got a great first step and there’s plenty of power behind his hands. 

 

  1. Green Bay Packers – Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia 

To me, this would be the best landing spot for Mims in the first round. He could sit behind Zach Tom for a season, if needed or he could play right tackle as Tom moves inside to guard or center. There’s been discussions of Tom making that move so while Mims is a bit of a project due to only starting 7 games in college, he’s incredibly athletic for a player of his size. Protecting Jordan Love and keeping the Packers offense flowing should be a top priority. 

 

  1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Chop Robinson, EDGE, Penn State 

While I don’t view Chop Robinson as a first round player, I can still see why teams would value him. Meanwhile, I’ve heard that he’s interviewed incredibly well. The Bucs would be thrilled to add his first step explosiveness to the mix of Joe Tyron-Shoyinka, Yaya Diaby and Randy Gregory. With Robinson, he’ll need to get home more consistently versus the pass and become more consistent against the run but this would be a good landing spot for him in the first round. 

 

  1. Arizona Cardinals (via HOU) – Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson 

Like I mentioned with the Dolphins pick, I could see the Cardinals moving up from the 27th overall pick rather than moving down from the 4th overall pick. That said, I’ll keep them here to take Nate Wiggins. He does struggle as a tackler but his long speed, effort and press-man ability is worthy of a first round pick. 

 

  1. Buffalo Bills – Brian Thomas Jr., WR, LSU 

Every mock draft that I’ve done, I struggle on where to place Brian Thomas Jr from LSU. In this spot, he falls in the lap of the Bills and that’s mostly because I could see them considering a move up for him. He’s a player that I’ve labeled as the “slot fade king” and with his vertical ability, he seems destined to catch touchdown passes from Josh Allen. 

 

  1. Washington Commanders (Mock Trade with Detroit) – Jordan Morgan, IOL, Arizona 

There’s been a lot of buzz around Patrick Paul from Houston as a first round pick and I do wonder if the Lions are one of the teams that are interested in him. But one of the worst kept secrets in this draft is the Commanders using their draft capital to get back into the first round for offensive line help. One player they’ve met with is Jordan Morgan from Arizona and he’s a player with 32 ⅞” arms so a move to guard could happen. But the Commanders move up and try him at tackle to protect their new franchise quarterback, Jayden Daniels. 

Mock Trade Details:

  • DET Receives: 2024 2nd Round Pick (36th overall) and 2024 3rd Round Pick (100th overall)
  • WAS Receives: 2024 1st Round Pick (29th overall)
  1. Baltimore Ravens – Kool Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama

I’m still a firm believer that Christian Haynes could be the pick in this spot. We’ll see if that happens or not but with Kool-Aid McKinstry available, I think he’d be an ideal fit for the Ravens due to how well he plays in press-man and ability to tackle on the perimeter. Keep in mind, Ozzie Newsome may not be the general manager anymore but he’s still got a key role in the organization so I think that pipeline between the Ravens and Alabama players is a real thing. 

  1. Las Vegas Raiders (Mock Trade with San Francisco) — Michael Penix Jr., QB, Washington 

The 49ers just feel like they’re in such a weird place as a team. There’s all types of connections to them moving on from one of their receivers but it’s unclear if they actually do. With that, I think they’d be more than happy to trade out of this spot and let a team like the Raiders jump up and get their quarterback of the future.

Mock Trade Details:

  • SF Receives: 2024 2nd Round Pick (44th overall), 2024 4th Round Pick (70th overall) & 2025 5th Round Pick
  • LV Receives: 2024 1st Round Pick (31st overall)
  1. Kansas City Chiefs – Mike Sainristil, CB, Michigan

There could be a real connection with Kingsley Suamatia here, especially with Andy Reid playing at BYU back in the day. However, the Chiefs traded away one of their best defensive players in L’Jarius Sneed and I think that may force the Chiefs to take a corner sooner rather than later. Sainristil is just a playmaker that is always around the football and he can play inside or outside for a defense. Defensive Coordinator Steve Spagnuolo would know exactly how to use him for his defense.

Charles Davis shares mock draft with updated projections for Penn State prospects

Charles Davis shared his mock draft for the 2024 NFL draft. Here is where Penn State’s top draft prospects appear.

Mock draft season is about to close up shop, but there is still some time for final editions and adjustments to be made to mock drafts before the real thing kicks off on Thursday evening in Detroit. Among the football experts sharing their final mock drafts in the final hours of mock draft season is Charles Davis. Davis, like a number of final mock draft, predicts a pair of Nittany Lions going in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft.

The highest Penn State player on Davis’ mock draft is offensive tackle Olu Fashanu, who has long been considered Penn State’s top draft prospect. According to Davis’ mock draft, Fashanu could be heading to the New Orleans Saints with the no. 14 overall selection.

“The Saints need a left tackle, and Fashanu is their guy,” Davis says in his mock draft analysis. If Davis’ prediction comes true, Fashanu will be the fourth offensive tackle selected in the NFL draft. In three versions of his mock draft this draft season, Davis has been firm on the Saints selecting Fashanu.

But the first round will not conclude without another Penn State star being selected according to Davis and his mock draft. Defensive end Chop Robinson is slotted at the no. 26 overall pick owned by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Davis’ mock draft.

“Tampa banks on the potential and expected elevation of this speedy edge rusher whose numbers should improve in the NFL,” said Davis.  Davis notes he could see the Bucs going with some help for the offensive line as well, specifically at center. But Penn State’s Hunter Nourzad would likely be far down the big board at the center position.

Davis did not have Robinson being selected in the first round of his second version of the mock draft, but he did have the Philadelphia Eagles picking him in his first edition with the no. 22 overall pick. So perhaps Robinson has momentum in his favor at the right time.

You can view the full Charles Davis mock draft via NFL.com. Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk also predicts Fashanu and Robinson going in the first round, although he is higher on both players in his first-round mock draft.

Penn State did not have a player selected in the first-round of the 2023 NFL draft, although cornerback Joey Porter Jr. was the no. 32 overall player selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers (there were only 31 draft picks in the first round due to the Miami Dolphins forfeiting a draft pick).

Here is a look back at every first-round draft pick in Penn State history. See where Penn State ranks on the all-time draft pick rankings heading into the 2024 draft, and see how the 18 Big Ten schools compare to each other.

Follow Kevin McGuire on Threads, Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook.

Cory Bonini’s 2024 NFL mock draft 3.0

Quarterbacks dominate our final mock draft update of 2024.

Here’s my final 2024 NFL mock draft. Be sure to check our NFL Draft Central page for the rest of our mocks, player scouting reports, and post-draft analysis of every key pick relevant to fantasy football.

*projected trade

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Ravens GM Eric DeCosta calls edge rusher class in 2024 NFL draft ‘average’

Ravens’ general manager Eric DeCosta called the EDGE class in the 2024 NFL draft “average”

The Baltimore Ravens will likely look to add to their edge room before the 2024 offseason concludes. The team already re-signed veteran pass rusher Kyle Van Noy, but they could sign an outside free agent or draft a rookie who could be a difference-maker.

When speaking to the media, Baltimore general manager Eric DeCosta gave his honest opinion on the upcoming edge class in the 2024 NFL draft. He said that the pass rusher group available this year is only “average”, saying that it depends on what teams are looking for with speed, power, and more.

“I think it’s an average Draft, I would say, for edge pass rushers. There are certainly some guys at the top. For us, we’ve had success throughout the years in finding some guys in the middle rounds that have been good players for us. It really depends on what you’re looking for. You have your speed rushers. You have power guys, guys that can do both, guys that have to play in a three-point stance [and] guys that can play in a two-point stance. A lot of it has to do with your fit and what you’re looking for. Our coaches play a big part in that in their evaluation. [Pass rush coach] Chuck Smith does a really, really good job of evaluating pass rushers and has done a good job for us coaching those guys as well. We’ll get the [Draft] board squared away. There are certainly some guys at the top that probably won’t be there when we pick. So, the challenge for us is going to be who’s going to be that next-tier group of guys in that sweet spot between the 25th player to the 45th player that we have a chance to get either at [pick No.] 30 or at [pick No.] 62.”

The Ravens will be relying on young players such as Odafe Oweh and David Ojabo regarding their edge rushers, alongside the veteran presence of players like Van Noy. However, it wouldn’t be shocking to see the team add a rookie edge player, even in an “average” class.

Which Penn State player is the biggest ‘boom or bust’ draft prospect?

The NFL trajectory of Penn State’s Chop Robinson seems to be all over the place heading into the 2024 NFL draft.

If things go well, Penn State could have multiple players selected in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft when the draft kicks off with the first round later this week (Thursday, April 25). Offensive tackle Olu Fashanu has long been expected to be a lock for a first-round draft selection, and he could be joined in the first round by defensive end Chop Robinson. Robinson is projected to go anywhere from the middle to late first round or possibly very early in the second round depending on the mock draft you evaluate. But such a draft outlook suggests there is a high ceiling but some concern about what the future holds for Robinson.

USA TODAY’s Michael Middlehurst-Scwartz included Robinson in a list of draft candidates who should be considered high-risk, high-reward players in the 2024 NFL draft.

On the one hand, Robinson’s performance at the NFL combine shows he has some elite speed and skill to rely on at the next level. His showing at the combine has led to some comparing him to another former Penn State standout, and a former first-round pick, Micah Parsons.

The combine numbers speak for themselves. The 6-3, 254-pounder recorded the fifth-fastest 40-yard dash time (4.48 seconds) and 10-yard split (1.54) since 2003 of any player weighing 250 pounds or more, according to Next Gen Stats and ESPN. He continued to highlight his explosiveness with a 10-8 broad jump, tied for the best mark among all edge rushers. That elite package of physical traits has some envisioning the next Micah Parsons, Robinson’s predecessor at Penn State.

Comparing any player to Parsons, who was a unanimous NFL defensive rookie of the year and has already cemented himself as one of the NFL’s top defensive players, can be challenging for Robinson. And in the same breath of analysis, USA TODAY says Robinson doesn’t quite measure up to the gold standard that is Parsons.

Naturally, that lofty comparison falls short in several areas. Robinson didn’t produce at the same level that Parsons did for the Nittany Lions, recording just 9 ½ sacks in two years after transferring from Maryland. Whereas Parsons demonstrated he could disengage blockers to free himself up to make plays, Robinson still is too easily neutralized when he doesn’t beat linemen instantly with his first step. Still, he has all the trappings of a double-digit sack artist. For now, however, he projects as a high-upside pass rusher who could flash on one snap and disappoint on the next.

Check out the full story on USA TODAY Sports to see what other draft prospects fit the boom or bust category in the 2024 NFL draft.

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ESPN’s Jordan Reid predicts record NFL draft for Penn State in 7-round mock draft

The 2024 NFL draft could see Penn State match a school record for the most draft picks in a single draft according to this mock draft from ESPN.

The NFL draft is now just days away, and NFL draft analysts are putting out their final thoughts on the class. One popular final note that analysts churn out is a massive seven-round mock with every pick accounted for. It’s a huge (and potentially pointless) endeavor, but the amount of time and effort is praiseworthy.

Penn State has a large class of potential picks, and fans will be happy to hear that one analyst was able to fit all 10 draftable prospects into his final mock. Jordan Reid of ESPN took on the challenge of predicting every pick of the draft, and he clearly is a big fan of the talented Nittany Lions in this class.

Let’s start at the top, where he predictably had star offensive lineman [autotag]Olu Fashanu[/autotag] as his first Nittany Lion off the board. He selected him at 14th overall to the New Orleans Saints, one of his more popular destinations this draft season. Fashanu would likely be an immediate starter for the Saints and potentially a top-ten left tackle sooner rather than later.

[autotag]Chop Robinson[/autotag] was the next Penn State prospect off the board, landing with a popular destination for him as well at 26th overall to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Buccaneers need a young, explosive edge rusher to replace former Pro Bowl edge Shaq Barrett, so this landing spot could be great for Robinson.

Reid surprised me a bit with how high the next Nittany Lion came off the board, with edge rusher [autotag]Adisa Isaac[/autotag] being selected 40th overall by the Washington Commanders. Isaac is a high-floor player that new Head Coach Dan Quinn will likely value highly.

After those three, Penn State fans had to wait a while to see another Nittany Lion selected. Tight end Theo Johnson was selected at 121st overall by the Denver Broncos, likely slotting in as a good backup immediately. Two more Penn State prospects were picked up in the next five picks, with offensive lineman Hunter Nourzad at 122 to the Chicago Bears and fellow lineman Caedan Wallace going at 127 to the Houston Texans.

Not much farther down the board, Reid adds another Nittany Lion to Denver’s roster by grabbing linebacker Curtis Jacobs at 147th overall. Now in the sixth round, Reid ends corner Kalen King’s big slide down the board at 186 to the Arizona Cardinals. King’s draft season has been a disaster, but he would have a chance to make an impact for a Cardinals team desperate for defensive talent.

Reid finishes his predicted landing spots for Penn State prospects by picking corners Johnny Dixon and Daequan Hardy at 205 and 228 respectively. Dixon joins Dan Campbell’s Detroit Lions, and Hardy ends up with the Baltimore Ravens. Both of those teams need help in the secondary, so they should have a chance to compete for a role early.

Overall, I like the fit for the majority of these picks. We all want to see these guys succeed at the next level, and I think if these picks were to happen for real all of them would have a good shot to make it in the NFL.