2024 Mock Draft: Texans Add Elite Edge Rusher Chop Robinson in Latest Projection

Could the Houston Texans bolster their pass rush in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft?

The Houston Texans traded away their own first-round pick for 2024 last season when they moved up to take Will Anderson at No. 3 overall, but thanks to the Deshaun Watson trade with the Cleveland Browns two years ago, they will still pick in the first round.

The Texans land with the No. 23 overall pick in this year's draft instead of Cleveland, and CBS Sports projected on Sunday that Houston would select Penn State Nittany Lions edge rusher Chop Robinson in that slot.

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You can read an excerpt from the piece below, one that takes a look at specific projections now that the Super Bowl matchup is set.

"San Francisco's pass rush came at opponents in waves. DeMeco Ryans was accustomed to having that depth and flexibility at his disposal. He now has his own version in Houston with Jon Greenard, Will Anderson Jr. and now Robinson."

Robinson opted out of the 2023 Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl matchup against the Ole Miss Rebels in order to prepare for the upcoming draft. This season, he had 12 solo tackles and three sacks in a 10-win campaign for his Nittany Lions.

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A native of Quince Orchard High School in Gaithersburg, Maryland, Robinson originally suited up for his home state Maryland Terrapins before transferring to Penn State.

Robinson could complement others well on the Texans front seven, and it would mark the second straight season where Houston has placed an emphasis on the defensive end position, having claimed Will Anderson with its first pick in last year's draft. 

In his rookie campaign, Anderson put up seven sacks, coming in at second on the team to Greenard with 12.5.

If the Texans opted to take Robinson, they would have three viable pass rush threats who are under 30 years of age to wreak havoc on opposing backfields.