Chop Robinson continues to get national accolades.
Two days after being named to the Professional Football Writers of America All-Rookie team,the Miami Dolphins 2024 first-round pick was announced Thursday as one of five finalists for the AP Defensive Rookie of the Year award.
He was joined by four other members of the PFWA All-Rookie team, L.A. Rams outside linebacker Jared Verse, L.A. Rams defensive tackle Braden Fiske, and Philadelphia Eagles cornerbacks Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean. Verse was named PFWA Defensive Rookie of the Year.
The AP Defensive Rookie of the Year winner will be announced, along with other major award winners, during NFL Honors in New Orleans on Thursday, February 6, three days before the Super Bowl.
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Robinson, the 21st overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft, finished his rookie season with six sacks, which was good for second on the Dolphins behind team MVP Zach Sieler’s 10. He also had 14 QB hits (also second behind Sieler) and eight tackles for loss.
After a slow start, Robinson really took off in the middle of the season.
He recorded his first sack in the 30-27 loss against the Buffalo Bills in Week 9 and also had sacks against the L.A. Rams, New England Patriots at Hard Rock Stadium, Houston Texans and San Francisco 49ers.
His best performance probably was the one against Houston in Week 15 when he matched his season high with 1.5 sacks and had a season-best four quarterback hits in the Dolphins’ 20-12 loss.
The categories of Coach of the Year and Assistant Coach of the Year were littered with former Dolphins — exactly half of the 10 total finalists.
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Up for Coach of the Year are former Dolphins interim head coach Dan Campbell of the Detroit Lions and former Dolphins defensive line coach Dan Quinn of the Washington Commanders. They are joined by Kevin O’Connell of the Minnesota Vikings, Sean Payton of the Denver Broncos and Andy Reid of the Kansas City Chiefs.
In the Assistant Coach of the Year category, there are three ex-Dolphins finalists, including former head coach Brian Flores (now DC with the Minnesota Vikings) and 2023 defensive coordinator Vic Fangio (now with the Philadelphia Eagles), along with seven-year offensive assistant Ben Johnson, who became head coach of the Chicago Bears on Wednesday after his stint as Detroit Lions offensive coordinator. The other candidates are Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady and Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, now the head coach of the New York Jets.
Here’s the rundown of the finalists for the other five major awards (listed in alphabetical order):
Comeback Player of the Year: QB Joe Burrow, Cincinnati; QB Sam Darnold, Minnesota; RB J.K. Dobbins, L.A. Chargers; CB Christian Gonzalez, New England; S Damar Hamlin, Buffalo
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Defensive Player of the Year: LB Zack Baun, Philadelphia; DE Myles Garrett, Cleveland; DE Trey Hendrickson, Cincinnati; CB Pat Surtain II, Denver; LB T.J. Watt, Pittsburgh
Offensive Player of the Year: RB Saquon Barkley, Philadelphia; QB Joe Burrow, Cincinnnati; WR Ja’Marr Chase, Cincinnati; RB Derrick Henry, Baltimore; QB Lamar Jackson, Baltimore
Offensive Rookie of the Year: TE Brock Bowers, Las Vegas; QB Jayden Daniels, Washington; WR Malik Nabers, N.Y. Giants; QB Bo Nix, Denver; WR Brian Thomas Jr., Jacksonville
A driver was detained in Northwest Miami-Dade on Saturday after being accused of striking a deputy’s vehicle during a fatal crash investigation, authorities said
According to the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office, at around 11:55 p.m. on Friday, a vehicle crashed into a tree on Northwest 135th Street and 57th Avenue, where it caught on fire.
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue arrived at the scene, extinguished the flames, and the driver was pronounced dead.
Their identity was not released.
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During the investigation, deputies blocked the intersection when a vehicle went through the intersection and struck a cruiser.
MDSO said the cruiser sustained damage, and the deputy had minor injuries and was treated at the scene.
The driver was then detained.
No arrests have been made as the investigation remains active.
USA TODAY Sports’ Christian D’Andrea breaks down the top cornerback studs, sleepers and deep sleepers in the 2026 NFL Draft.
The 2026 NFL Draft will be held Thursday, April 23 through Saturday April 25 in Pittsburgh, and the Miami Dolphins have needs at many positions.
The Dolphins could use players at cornerback, guard, safety, defensive end/edge and wide receiver and/or tight end.
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The Miami Dolphins hold 11 picks in the draft, including 11th overall (first round), 30th overall (first round), 43th overall (second round) and three third-round picks.
The second first-round pick was acquired in a deal of Jaylen Waddle to Denver.
First-year general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan and first-year coach Jeff Hafley have replaced Chris Grier and Mike McDaniel.
In previous mock drafts conducted this year by our Joe Schad, the selections have been:
Mock 1.0: CB Mansoor Delane, LSU
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Mock 2.0: CB Jermod McCoy, Tennessee
7-round mock draft: Mansoor Delane, LSU
3-round mock draft: Mansoor Delane, LSU
Here is mock draft 3.0 from Joe Schad:
2026 NFL Mock Draft
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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.
