The Miami Dolphins chose Chop Robinson from Penn State as the 21st pick in the NFL draft on Thursday night. They aim to strengthen their defense, which has experienced many departures this spring.
General manager Chris Grier used his first opening-round pick since 2021 to replenish the defense after losing key players like standout defensive tackle Christian Wilkins, who signed a $110 million contract with Las Vegas.
Robinson is expected to address an immediate need for new defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver with his agility, although his performance in college didn’t fully match his athleticism.
He recorded 9 1/2 sacks, 31 tackles, and three forced fumbles over the past two seasons at Penn State, along with two sacks while playing linebacker at Maryland in 2021.
Standing at 6-foot-3 and weighing 254 pounds, Robinson transitioned to defensive end after transferring to Penn State in 2022. He attributed his relatively low production in college to “inconsistencies” in his hand placement.
Robinson has been diligently working on improving his hand placement throughout the offseason, feeling confident that it will become second nature when it’s time to utilize it in games.
Grier emphasized that while Robinson’s sack numbers may not be high, the team values his ability to disrupt the passer, which has been consistently impressive.
