Atlanta Falcons Bolster Pass Rush, Take Penn State's Chop Robinson in The Athletic's Mock Draft

The Atlanta Falcons took Penn State edge rusher Chop Robinson in The Athletic's most recent mock draft. What should fans make of the selection?

It can be difficult to look ahead to the NFL Draft, especially from the NFL’s middle class. The Atlanta Falcons are seemingly as close to hosting a playoff game as they are a top-10 selection, but it’s never too early to at least glance at what the future of the franchise may look like.

Currently, Atlanta holds the 19th pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. This likely takes them out of range for a new signal caller, at least one worthy of legitimate draft capital. Further, despite a drove of top-end receiver talent, the Falcons may not be in on a new flashy toy for coach Arthur Smith, either—perhaps saving the Atlanta faithful from some unnecessary stress.

Thus, there’s a pretty good chance the Falcons add to their defense in the first round. It’s currently around the league average, giving up a touch over 21 points per game. By success rate, they found themselves in the top quarter of the league.

Even so, an aging defensive line could use some reinforcements. Pro Football Focus currently has Atlanta as the 29th-best pass-rushing team in football, and only four teams average fewer sacks per game (2.0).

Chop Robinson celebrates a big play / Credit: Matthew O'Haren-USA TODAY Sports

Subsequently, The Athletic’s most recent mock draft has them adding Penn State edge rusher Chop Robinson.

“A player with a wide projection range, Robinson’s body of work says third round, but his ceiling and flashes point to Round 1,” The Athletic writes. “The Falcons’ pass rush ranked near the bottom of the league for far too long, and Robinson’s explosiveness off the edge is a potential answer to that problem.”

Robinson hasn’t been the most productive pass rusher, totaling just 11.5 sacks in three seasons of Big Ten play. Even so, he was a unanimous first-team All-Big Ten selection this season and has the athleticism to add helium to his draft stock.

He’s undersized, but if he can run in the 4.65 range, the comparisons of his athletic profile may mirror former first-round picks like Khalil Mack and Harold Landry. Of course, that isn’t a one-to-one comparison or projection, but that kind of profile is enticing.

Robinson was the fourth edge rusher taken in Dane Brugler’s mock. Alabama’s Dallas Turner (No. 10), UCLA’s Laiatu Latu (No. 14), and FSU’s Jared Verse (No. 17) took priority.

Falcons Rookie Hellams 'Continues to Make Plays,' Pushing for Snaps

Fans have seen the offense get a disproportionate amount of draft capital sent its way in recent years. At some point (especially without a worthy quarterback on the board), those answers have to be found elsewhere.

By getting younger, faster, and more talented on the defensive line, Atlanta opens its entire defense up to more upside and takes some pressure off returning starters like defensive tackle Grady Jarrett.