The Miami Dolphins concluded a remarkable yet injury-plagued season with a disappointing defeat to the eventual Super Bowl champions, the Kansas City Chiefs, in the initial round of the NFL Playoffs. The Dolphins’ successful 11-win campaign was propelled by a dynamic offense and a formidable pass rush. Despite finishing among the top three teams in sacks during the regular season with 56, the Dolphins suffered significant losses in free agency, notably losing standout defensive tackle Christian Wilkins (who had nine sacks in 2023), versatile edge rusher Andrew Van Ginkel (six sacks), defensive lineman Emmanuel Ogbah (five sacks), and defensive tackle Raekwon Davis (two sacks).

In the 2024 offseason, the Miami Dolphins took proactive measures to offset the impact of these departures. They made key free agent acquisitions such as Super Bowl-winning edge rusher Shaquill Barrett and added several dependable defensive tackles like Neville Gallimore from the Cowboys. In the NFL draft, the Dolphins emphasized the importance of bolstering their edge rushing capabilities, selecting a premium edge rusher with their first-round pick. By the draft’s conclusion, many observers believed that the Dolphins had secured the strongest group of rookie edge rushers across the entire NFL

Miami Dolphins Select Athletic Phenom Edge Rusher Chop Robinson In The First Round Of NFL Draft

In the 2024 NFL Draft, one standout prospect at the edge rusher position was Chop Robinson from Penn State. Robinson’s performance at the NFL Combine showcased exceptional athleticism, with metrics that would have surpassed those of any running back in the draft if he had participated in that category. His Relative Athletic Score of 9.90 as a hypothetical running back underscored his outstanding physical abilities. Robinson recorded an impressive sub-4.5 second 40-yard dash time, along with an elite 10-yard split, and demonstrated strong jump metrics, including a nearly 35-inch vertical leap.

The Miami Dolphins demonstrated their admiration for Robinson’s athletic traits by selecting him in the first round of the NFL Draft with the No. 21 overall pick. This move highlighted the team’s commitment to enhancing their edge rushing capabilities with a player who possesses exceptional speed and agility.

Chop Robinson, the 21-year-old edge rusher from Penn State, may be considered slightly undersized for the NFL at 6’3″ and 250 pounds. However, his exceptional athleticism more than compensates for any concerns about his size. Despite not racking up as many sacks as some other top edge rushers during his college career (11.5 sacks), Robinson’s impact on film is undeniable.

Many scouts have been impressed by Robinson’s athletic profile, which ranks among the best they’ve seen for an edge rusher. His film highlights his blistering speed, natural leverage, elite first step off the line, and strong understanding of pursuit angles. These attributes suggest that Robinson has the potential to develop into a standout edge rusher at the professional level.

Although Robinson was less polished at the time of his drafting, scouts draw comparisons to Dallas Cowboys superstar Micah Parsons. If Robinson can achieve even 70% of Parsons’ level of play, he would more than justify his selection as the 21st overall pick in the NFL Draft. This comparison underscores the high expectations for Robinson’s development and potential impact in the league.