Chop Robinson to Dolphins in NFL draft: Instant grade, analysis, stats for 1st pick

Joe Schad, Palm Beach Post

MIAMI GARDENS - The Dolphins chose a pass rusher with a high ceiling, selecting Chop Robinson of Penn State with the 21st pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.

There was a run on players Miami surely would have been interested in with the seven picks immediately in front of them: offensive tackle Taliese Fuaga, edge Laiatu Latu, defensive tackle Byron Murphy, edge Dallas Turner, offensive linemen Amarius Mims, edge Jared Verse and offensive lineman Troy Fautanu.

The losses of Latu, Murphy, Turner and Fautanu were gut punches.

Chop Robinson to Dolphins NFL draft grade: Instant reaction

Grade: B

Why: Robinson has unbelievable physical traits. But he also has only 11.5 sacks in three college seasons at Maryland and Penn State. It is not surprising that the Dolphins took an edge rusher, considering they cannot be certain when Jaelan Phillips (Achilles) and Bradley Chubb (ACL) will be back and operating at or close to full speed. Defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver must have signed off on this selection. There is certainly a boom-or-bust element. Miami could have selected an offensive lineman like Graham Barton, Tyler Guyton or Jackson Powers-Johnson and played them at guard before a shift to tackle or center. But clearly a priority was placed on edge rusher. And clearly the upside of this player was intriguing to general manager Chris Grier.

Dolphins pick Chop Robinson: NFL draft profile, college stats, highlights

Penn State defensive end Chop Robinson (44) celebrates after sacking Massachusetts quarterback Taisun Phommachanh in the first half of a NCAA football game Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023, in State College, Pa. The Nittany Lions won, 63-0.
Penn State defensive end Chop Robinson (44) celebrates after sacking Massachusetts quarterback Taisun Phommachanh in the first half of a NCAA football game Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023, in State College, Pa. The Nittany Lions won, 63-0.

Dolphins NFL draft picks: List of selections in 2024

  • Round 1, Pick 21

  • Round 2, Pick 55

  • Round 5, Pick 158

  • Round 6, Pick 184 (from Chicago)

  • Round 6, Pick 198

  • Round 7, Pick 241

Joe Schad is a journalist covering the Miami Dolphins and the NFL at The Palm Beach Post. You can reach him at jschad@pbpost.com and follow him on Instagram and on X @schadjoe. Sign up for Joe's free weekly Dolphins Pulse Newsletter. Help support our work by subscribing today.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Grading Dolphins pick of Chop Robinson at No. 21: NFL draft 2024

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