The Arizona Cardinals are uniquely positioned with two first-round selections in the upcoming 2024 NFL Draft, and presuming generational wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. pulls down a Cardinals draft cap with the No. 3 overall choice, GM Monti Ossenfort could add a game-changing defender later in Round 1.
Down the stretch of the 2023 regular season, the Cardinals’ defense seemed to turn a corner under new head coach Jonathan Gannon.
During the draft, the Cardinals could shop for impact pass-rushers, which could put explosive Penn State edge rusher Chop Robinson in Arizona’s sights.
Why Arizona Cardinals Could Target Chop Robinson
In Gannon’s first season at the helm, the Cardinals’ pass rush left much to be desired.
Arizona finished the 2023 campaign with just 33 sacks, the third-fewest in the league.
Adding a disruptive presence, with Robinson’s athleticism, could elevate the entire defense.
ESPN’s Matt Bowen lists Robinson as the Cardinals’ perfect fit in this year’s draft class, and a potential top target with the 27th pick.
“The Cardinals could add pass-rushing juice here with Robinson, ” Bowen writes. “While also filling a major need in Jonathan Gannon’s defense. Robinson is explosive off the edge, with a lightning-quick first step that allows him to attack the edges of offensive tackles and the lower body flex to turn the corner. Plus, he has the pursuit speed to track down ball carriers on the perimeter.
“The Cardinals could add an impact player here on passing downs, one who ran a 4.48-second 40-yard dash at the combine and has a ways to go before he hits is ceiling. While Robinson had only four sacks last season, his average time to pressure was 2.22 seconds, the third-fastest in the FBS, according to ESPN Stats & Info.”
Penn State EDGE Chop Robinson NFL Draft Scouting Report
Robinson is one of the more athletically gifted pass-rushers in this year’s draft class, and dropping him into Gannon’s scheme could bring out his untapped upside.
“Regardless of his lack of polish, Robinson is a gifted player athletically,” Trevor Sikkehema writes for PFF. “Likely on a level that is top of the class. A lot of what leaves you wanting more from Robinson is coachable. Unlocking that is the key for him to go from a boom-or-bust athlete to a dominant edge defender.”
Across his three collegiate seasons, including two as arguably the most dominant front-seven presence at Penn State, after transferring from the University of Maryland, Robinson logged 11.5 sacks and 20 tackles for loss.
“I get the comparison to Micah Parsons,” an NFC National Scout told NFL.com, of Robinson. “But, I think Parsons was a little more polished as a football player when he came out. Chop is still a little green.”
