The Detroit Lions have one of the league's premier young edge rushers in Aidan Hutchinson. However, a lack of other significant EDGE presences allowed teams to send multiple blockers to account for the Michigan product.
As a result, the Lions could target a top prospect on the edge in this year's Draft. In one recent mock draft, conducted by The Athletic's Dane Brugler, Detroit elected to address this need.
At No. 29 overall, Brugler had the Lions selecting Penn State defensive end Chop Robinson. The former Nittany Lion had a strong showing at the NFL Combine, in which he ran a blazing 4.48 40-yard dash.
"From the Nittany Lions to the Detroit Lions for Robinson. This pick came down to Johnny Newton or Robinson — and though I think Newton might be the better profile fit, the Lions also want to get more explosive 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 doesn't have elite statistical production, but the potential and athleticism he showcased in Indianapolis should translate well at the professional level. He would fit nicely opposite Hutchinson in the run game as well as in pass-rush situations.
Here are other storylines surrounding the Lions on March 5.
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