Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1520787
J U N E / J U L Y 2 0 2 4 31 W W W . B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M New York needs Fashanu badly if it's going to recreate the magic that Rodg- ers and offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett conjured up in Green Bay. The Packers were aggressive in the passing game, often attempting throws that took time to develop. From 2019-21, Rodgers' passes averaged 8.9 yards downfield per attempt, which was ninth among NFL offenses during that span. Fashanu projects as an elite pass-pro- tecting left tackle. This offseason, the team moved on from former top tackle pick Mekhi Becton, whose injury-riddled NFL career never took off. Fashanu's pass-protection skills, from his usage of independent hands to his ability to re- cover, should ensure that he starts out at a high level as a rookie. From scheme to situation, Fashanu found a great spot in the NFL to begin his career. The only issue is that the Jets have historically been a poorly run orga- nization, and Robert Saleh is near the end of his leash as a first-time head coach. Stabilization and a consistent offensive scheme are the best ways to be reliably great. Will Fashanu get that long-term? We'll see. Chop Robinson Team: Miami Dolphins Round: First Pick: 21st overall The Details: Robinson had been viewed going into his junior season at Penn State as a borderline first-round prospect, and he helped himself at the NFL Combine in February by running a 4.48-second 40-yard dash, third-best in the event's history by a player weighing over 250 pounds. Robinson became the highest-drafted Penn State defensive end since 2009 when Aaron Maybin was chosen 11th overall by Buffalo. Franklin Says: "Chop will be an ex- plosive, disruptive pass rusher and run stopper in the NFL. He was determined and committed to taking his game to the next level the moment he stepped on campus. … We have really enjoyed watch- ing Chop develop as a player and man since he joined our program." Defensive Line Coach Deion Barnes Says: "He understands the game of foot- ball so well and has always had the deter- mination to do whatever it takes to be the best he can be. He is a tireless worker who has spent a lot of extra time on the field, in the weight room and in the film room. He has great speed, power and awareness, which are all important traits for a pass rusher and run stopper in the NFL." Carr Analysis: Like his former team- mate Fashanu, Robinson is joining a com- petitive AFC East. It's a nearly perfect fit. The Dolphins have had some upheaval on the defensive side of the ball, going from Vic Fangio to first-time defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver. The former Baltimore Ravens defensive end has been an NFL assistant since 2013 and was most recently the Ravens' defensive line coach. If we use Baltimore' s scheme as a tem- plate, Robinson is joining a wide-front defense that isolates edge rushers on tackles. This type of defense is the best fit for Robinson's skill set as a pure speed pass rusher. Generally speaking, the wide nine, or wide front, places a team's defensive ends outside the tackle. That spot is on the out- side shade of a tight end, but even if there's no tight end, the defensive end lines up in the same place, creating an extreme angle from which to attack the offensive tackle. Robinson's speed will give him the per- fect opportunity to use his skills and not be asked to play the run from a head-up alignment on non-passing downs. The Dolphins are also a good fit in other aspects of the team's composition. Brad- ley Chubb and Jaelan Phillips are former first-round defensive ends who have When he went 21st overall to Miami, Chop Robinson became Penn State's highest-drafted defensive end since Aaron Maybin was chosen 11th by Buffalo in 2009. PHOTO COURTESY MIAMI DOLPHINS