© Dan Rainville / USA TODAY NETWORK
Seattle Seahawks 30 Visits: Penn State EDGE Chop Robinson an NFL Draft Target?
While the Seattle Seahawks have plenty of experienced edge defenders slated to return in 2024, that isn't stopping the team from meeting with one of the most intriguing pass rushers in this year's draft class.
As the 2024 NFL Draft quickly approaches, the Seattle Seahawks have one of the top pass rushing prospects from this year's class scheduled for a top-30 visit.
31. San Francisco 49ers Chop Robinson, DE, Penn State
Dan Rainville / USA TODAY NETWORK
According to Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston, standout Penn State edge defender Chop Robinson will meet with the Seahawks at the VMAC in the near future. In addition, at least eight other teams have visits with him, including the Eagles and Ravens.
An early entrant into the draft, Robinson initially started his collegiate career at Maryland before transferring to Penn State in 2022. In two seasons with the Nittany Lions, he amassed 41 tackles, 17.5 tackles for loss, and 9.5 sacks, earning All-Big Ten honors each season.
While Robinson didn't produce jaw-dropping sack numbers in college, including only 4.5 sacks in 2023, other statistics paint a different picture in regard to his effectiveness as a pass rusher. Per Pro Football Focus, the uber-athletic defender finished 13th among edge defenders in pass rush win rate, illustrating his consistent ability to beat opposing blockers and find his way into the pocket.
Though he only played 303 snaps in a deep, talented edge group in Happy Valley, Robinson also performed better than expected as a run defender, ranking second among qualified defenders with an average depth of tackle of negative one yards while tallying 7.5 tackles for loss.
Even with his sack numbers being pedestrian, Robinson's frequent disruption as a pass rusher and run defender penetrating into the backfield led to him being named a First-Team All Big Ten selection. Further improving his draft stock with upper echelon athleticism, he put on a show at the NFL combine in February in Indianapolis, running a blazing 4.48 40-yard dash and a 4.25 short shuttle at 254 pounds.
Slated to pick 16th overall in the first round, the Seahawks have other positions of greater need than outside linebacker, as the team will welcome back a healthy Uchenna Nwosu along with rising star Boye Mafe, Darrell Taylor, and Derick Hall. Three of those players were drafted by general manager John Schneider in the second round and Nwosu received a lucrative extension last summer, so the organization has already poured a lot of resources into the group.
But while drafting another edge rusher early may seem unlikely for Seattle, Taylor received a restructured contract with only $20,000 in guarantees instead of a restricted free agent tender and Hall wasn't picked by this current coaching staff under Mike Macdonald, so it's possible a big shake up could be coming if Robinson or another edge the team likes is available when they select. Bringing him in for an official visit will only add intrigue on that front as the draft looms closer.
