What’s next for Penn State’s DE room after Chop Robinson declared for the 2024 NFL draft

Chop Robinson surprised no one when he declared for the NFL Draft and opted not to play in the Peach Bowl. Robinson, a projected first-round pick after establishing himself at Penn State as one of the top edge rushers in the country, announced his decision Tuesday.

So, where do the Nittany Lions go from here? James Franklin and his team not only have to play Ole Miss in the Peach Bowl but will prepare for next season without Robinson.

Let’s break down how Robinson’s declaration affects the Nittany Lions moving forward.

What they’re losing

Robinson, a former five-star prospect who transferred to Penn State from Maryland ahead of last season, had the NFL written all over him the last two years.

Robinson used his speed, strength and motor to accumulate 17 1/2 tackles for loss and 9 1/2 sacks in 22 appearances. Robinson’s 20.8% pass rush win rate — which measures how often a pass rusher beats their blocker within 2.5 seconds — ranked tied for eighth nationally, per Pro Football Focus. And his tape was even more impressive than his stats.

PFF analyst Trevor Sikkema ranked Robinson as his No. 2 edge rusher in the draft: “Robinson is the most twitched-up pass rusher in the 2024 class. He’s still developing his pass rush profile in terms of moves and counters. But his first-step explosiveness and speed-to-power abilities are rare. Those alone make him a first-round target.”

What’s up in the air

We still have to wait and see what Adisa Isaac’s status is for the Peach Bowl and beyond, though signs point to the senior moving on to the NFL after a stellar season.

Isaac led the team in sacks (7 1/2) and tackles for loss (15), ranking tied for second and third, respectively, in the Big Ten.

ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. ranked Isaac his No. 4 overall defensive end behind Florida State’s Jared Verse, Ohio State’s J.T. Tuimoloau and Arkansas’ Landon Jackson. Robinson was listed as an outside linebacker, for what it’s worth. Isaac is also back to full strength after missing the 2021 season with a serious injury; that could play a factor in his Peach Bowl decision.

What they still have

Franklin viewed his top three defensive ends as co-starters: Robinson, Isaac and Dani Dennis-Sutton. That trio spearheaded the nation’s top pass rush (48 sacks) with Dennis-Sutton tallying 3 1/2 sacks and creating opportunities with his constant pressure. The 6-foot-5 sophomore is an imposing presence off the edge, has the makings of a future NFL player and will have a chance to shine in Atlanta and next year.

Outside of Dennis-Sutton, look for Amin Vanover, Zuriah Fisher and Jameial Lyons to get extensive run. Vanover missed a few games after suffering an injury in the Ohio State game but chipped in 4 1/2 TFLs in 2022. Fisher, after suffering a serious knee injury in April 2022, has looked like an effective role player. Lyons, a freshman who burned his redshirt by playing in seven games, has made a good early impression.

Beyond those four names, one to consider is Smith Vilbert. The senior missed this season with an undisclosed injury and sat out last season for unspecified reasons. But Vilbert, who last had three sacks in the Outback Bowl, could provide some juice off the edge.

Penn State is also set to bring in three edge rushers in the 2024 recruiting class: Monsignor Bonner’s Mylachi Williams and Maryland prospects Jaylen Harvey and Xavier Gilliam.