Aidan Hutchinson, one of the league’s top young edge rushers, plays for the Detroit Lions. Due to the dearth of other significant EDGE presences, teams were able to send several blockers to account for the Michigan product. As a result, the Lions may want to pursue a top edge prospect in this year’s draft. In a recent mock draft conducted by The Athletic’s Dane Brugler, Detroit decided to address this need. Brugler projected that the Lions would take Penn State defensive end Chop Robinson at No. 29 overall. The former Nittany Lion had a terrific performance at the NFL Combine, running a 4.48 40-yard sprint.
“From the Nittany Lions to the Detroit Lions, Robinson. This decision came down to Johnny Newton or Robinson — and while I believe Newton is the better profile fit, the Lions also want to add more explosiveness on the edges,” Brugler wrote. “They went against the grain in the first round last year, and I can’t wait to see how they attack it in 2024.” Robinson does not have exceptional statistical productivity, but the potential and athleticism he shown in Indianapolis should transition well to the NBA level. He’d be a good fit opposite Hutchinson in both the run game and pass rush.
