MIAMI.- The DMiami olphins They selected the running back from Penn State, Chop Robinsonwith the 21st pick in the NFL draft, hoping to strengthen their defense, which this offseason has been affected by injuries and casualties.
Thursday night's selection was the Dolphins' first pick in the first round since the 2021 draft, when Miami selected wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (No. 6) and outside linebacker Jaelan Phillips (18).
Robinson's mission in Miami will be one: catch quarterbacks before they execute their passes, to make the Dolphins offense shine. That he has had several significant losses this offseason.
With Jaelan Phillips (Achilles) and fellow outside linebacker Bradley Chubb (knee) rehabbing injuries, Robinson gives Miami a security blanket at the position. He can also work in a pass-rushing rotation with Phillips, Chubb and veteran Shaquil Barrett when everyone is healthy.
The Dolphins lost outside linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel in free agency to the Minnesota Vikings this offseason, so there was already a void, and the team likely wanted to stock up on pass rushers after suffering so many injuries at the position last season .
Characteristics of the new Miami Dolphins player
Robinson, who is 6-foot-3 and 254 pounds, was the fourth defenseman in the draft chosen behind Laiatu Latu, Dallas Turner and Jared Verse. The Dolphins selected the fifth defensive player in the draft, benefiting from the fact that the first 14 picks went to offense, with six of the first 12 being quarterbacks.
A draft that was marked in the first round by the selection of quarterbacks. Thursday night represented a record. Five teams took quarterbacks in the first 12 picks, a record of five in the Top 10 and tied the record for the most in the first round.
Robinson is an athletic and fast player for his size, running a 4.48-second 40-yard dash at the NFL scouting combine. He had four sacks last season for the Nittany Lions and 5 ½ in 2022.
However, he knows that he has aspects to improve such as the placement of his hands.
“That's something I've been working on this entire offseason,” Robinson said, “and I feel very confident because I've been working on it repeatedly. And I know it will be natural when it comes time to use my hands.†.
Although Dolphins general manager Chris Grier downplays that part of the game.
“Over the years we've talked about catches and statistics,” Grier said. “For us, it is an important part, but we have always talked about the ability to disrupt the passer. And his interruption numbers are all very high,” said the manager, according to the AP.
Including Robinson, the Dolphins have essentially used three first-round picks on defensive backs over the past three years: Miami selected Phillips 18th overall in 2021 and sent a 2023 first-round pick to Denver to acquire to Chubb in 2022.
The Dolphins enter Friday with a second-round pick, No. 55 overall, as rounds 2 and 3 of the draft take place, and the fourth through seventh rounds on Saturday.
Miami is currently scheduled to be without a third-round pick on Friday, one that was stripped from the team for its tampering violation penalty imposed in August 2022, along with a first-round pick last year.
