The Miami Dolphins used the 21st overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft to add Penn State edge rusher Chop Robinson. Shortly after being selected, Robinson met with the Miami media to discuss his selection and what the Dolphins should expect.
The Miami Dolphins used the 21st overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft to select Chop Robinson from Penn State. Adding a top-tier edge rusher to the roster provides Miami some insurance while Bradley Chubb and Jaelan Phillips recover from major injuries sustained last year then will give them the flexibility to rotate pass rushers throughout a game when the veterans are healthy. Teams can never have too many pass rushers, and Miami just added one with the potential to be a star in the NFL.
Shortly after being selected, Robinson met with the South Florida media. He spoke about the pre-draft process with the Dolphins, how well he will fit in with Phillips, Chubb, and Shaq Barrett for Miami’s pass rushers, and how he feels about the pre-draft comparisons to Dallas Cowboys and former Penn State edge rusher Micah Parsons.
“I had a lot of contact,” Robinson explained of the Dolphins’ pre-draft work with him. “I talked to them at the Combine. I talked with them the day before Pro Day, so we were honestly keeping in touch from the Combine to the Pro Day.”
As for the traditional phone call from the team as he is being selected, Robinson said, “It was just a quick call about ball, choosing me. [Miami general manager Chris Grier] was talking about the defense I’ll be put in and everything like that, and how he was getting to know me more as a person and everything and how he had a really good feel for me. So I’m honestly just blessed and happy to be a Dolphin.”
Robinson only recorded 11.5 sacks during his three years in college football, reaching a high of 5.5 sacks in a season in 2022. The apparent lack of production could be seen as a red flag as Robinson transitions into the NFL, where he is going to be expected to be a dominant pass rusher. He discussed what led to the low sack numbers and how he is already working to fix the issue.
“For me, it was just being inconsistent with my hands. I know I had the speed and the bend, but sometimes I forget to use my hands. But that’s something I’ve been working on this whole offseason, and I feel very confident because I’ve been working on this so much repeatedly and I know it’s going to be natural when it comes time to put my hands to use.”
Pre-draft profiles of Robinson compare him to Parsons, a lofty comparison given Parsons was the 2021 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, has been named to the Pro Bowl in all three NFL seasons, and is a two-time First-Team All-Pro and one-time Second-Team All-Pro selection. How does Robinson feel about that comparison? He seems ready to step up to it.
“I would say just the speed and the bend that we both have. Micah has the speed. He ran a fast 40 (-yard dash). He plays like it. I have the speed. Micah also has a great bend. He’s able to bend around a big offensive lineman and turn tight corners, and I feel like that’s a part of my game that we both have.”
While he likely will be linked to Parsons, as well as former Dolphins great Cameron Wake, due to the Penn State lineage they all have, having teammates like Phillips, Chubb, and Barrett provide Robinson with an opportunity to develop his game even further. “I feel like that’s going to be a great situation for me – come in there, learn from those guys, compete every day, being able to take things from them and take it to my game and vice versa. So I think it’ll be a great thing for me,” he explained.
Robinson sounds like he is ready to get back on the field and start proving himself to a new group of coaches and teammates. When asked about his knowledge of the city of Miami and the team, he replied, “I know a lot of guys on the team in Miami – of course everybody wants to win, everybody is chasing greatness and that’s what I want to chase, so I feel like it’s a great fit for me. I know it’s beautiful weather in Miami. I don’t know much about the city because I’ve never been that way, but I know I’ll have a great time there just enjoying with my teammates and being part of the team.”
He continued, “I think it’s going to be great. Not too far from home, but far from home far enough. Enjoy the warm weather, and just get to work and work every day. The work doesn’t change, so I’ll be able to stay true to who I am.”
As for his fit on the Dolphins defense, Robinson is ready to do whatever is asked of him, explaining he can line up anywhere new defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver wants. He stated, “We haven’t talked much about [his specific role], but I know the defense [Weaver] uses is the same thing we used at Penn State with putting me at nose tackle, on the edge. So I feel like that’s a good thing for me because I’m kind of familiar with already doing that, so it’ll be second nature when I’m able to go out there and do it.”
Miami started their 2024 draft process strong with the addition of Robinson. The Dolphins, and the rest of the NFL, continue the draft Friday night with the second and third rounds kicking off at 7 p.m. ET. Miami is scheduled to add one more player on the night, holding the 55th overall pick.
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