Report: Los Angeles Rams flying to Happy Valley for private visit with Chop Robinson

The Los Angeles Rams are en route to Happy Valley Wednesday to conduct a private visit with former Penn State outside linebacker Chop Robinson, per Jordan Schultz of Bleacher Report.

The Rams own the No. 19 overall pick in next Thursday’s 2024 NFL Draft, and clearly have interest in Robinson, one of the premier pass rushing prospects in this year’s class. That would be for good reason, as Los Angeles must replace the production of Aaron Donald, who announced his retirement last month after 10 seasons in the NFL.

Robinson was a four-star recruit out of high school in the Class of 2021, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, who started his career at Maryland before transferring to Penn State. He emerged as one of the nation’s best at his position in his two seasons with the Nittany Lions, tallying 41 tackles (31 solo), 20 tackles for loss, 9.5 sacks and three forced fumbles. Robinson earned first-team All-Big Ten honors in 2023.

Mel Kiper Jr. expects Chop Robinson to hold up in the NFL

ESPN NFL Draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. has Robinson as his No. 3 outside linebacker on his latest Big Board, just behind Alabama’s Dallas Turner and UCLA’s Laiatu Latu.

“Chop Robinson, I tried to find a spot in mock 3.0 middle of the first for him,” Kiper recently said. “I just couldn’t find it because there’s needs and others were solidified in free agency. Every team needs multiple pass rushers. So, maybe a team that we don’t think will take him will, but you get him in the 20s is where you feel from a mock draft standpoint more comfortable, but I’m with you. Maybe somebody takes him a little earlier than that. Maybe somewhere in that 15 to 20 range.”

Kiper believes Robinson will do his part in playing against the run in the NFL, which he says is the one thing evaluators “overlook and underestimate.”

“That’s the one thing we overlook and underestimate. You’ve got to be able to play the run in the NFL,” Kiper said. “You’ve got to be able to hold up and I think he will. Chop will and he will hustle. Had the injury. His numbers, a game and a half he was out, he would have probably had a couple more but that’s the nature of the Penn State defense.”