Here’s what NFL draft analysts are saying about the Miami Dolphins’ draft after the first round, which saw the team select Penn State edge rusher Chop Robinson with the No. 21 pick Thursday night.

NFL.com: “Robinson has the speed and flexibility to be a top-notch designated pass rusher as a rookie and much more in the future. His relative lack of production in college (11.5 sacks in three years) belied his ability to win against tackles and disrupt plays. The Dolphins needed to add more edge rushers, even after signing Shaq Barrett in free agency, as both Jaelan Phillips and Bradley Chubb are working their way back from season-ending injuries.” Grade: B

CBSSports.com: “I love this pick for Miami. He has the best first step in this draft. With a little coaching, he will become a dominant pass rusher. They can also move him around as a joker on their front. Love it.” Grade: A

USAToday.com: “With Bradley Chubb and Jaelan Phillips both recovering from season-ending injuries, Miami might have felt uncomfortable with the outlook for its pass rush being able to slow other AFC contenders. Robinson is a feast-or-famine kind of player at this point in his development, but all the athletic traits are there for him to become an extremely difficult matchup for any blocker. Operating in a spot role might be a favorable situation for the early part of his career.” Grade: B

The Athletic: “With both of its starting edge rushers (Jaelan Phillips and Bradley Chubb) coming back from season-ending injuries, Miami needed reinforcements, even if just to rotate. The Dolphins picked up perhaps the best player available, and one with plenty of upside. They could have used an offensive lineman, but an earlier run at that position helped nudge them toward Robinson.”

“One of the most feared pass rushers in the Big Ten, Robinson commanded attention last year on Penn State’s elite defense. He picked up just four sacks and 7.5 tackles for loss in 10 games, but he was regularly double teamed in passing situations. The 6-3, 254-pounder has elite get-off at the line of scrimmage, which was validated by his 4.48 40 at the combine.” Grade: B+

Yahoo Sports: “Robinson is a raw pass rusher, but he’s found himself in a good spot playing for new Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver. Robinson has all the tools in the world to become an elite pass rusher in the NFL if he can get a few signature moves down. The Dolphins also have some nice insurance in case Bradley Chubb and Jaelan Phillips have a slow return from injury.” Grade: B

ProFootballNetwork.com: “Robinson is a powerful rusher who plays with his hair on fire to terrorize offensive linemen with motor, incredible explosive speed, and impressive bend, he enters the league without having been particularly productive for a Penn State program that has produced several prospects who didn’t quite live up to their potential when they arrived in the NFL.”

“It’s a solid pick, but with players ranked higher on the PFN board at positions of need, not to mention neglecting the real need on the offensive line, it could definitely have been a better selection.” Grade: B-

NYPost.com: “A good example of when need meets value. Robinson is explosive around the outside, creating more disruption than his 11.5 sacks in 35 career games suggests. He was at his best against vaunted Michigan.” Grade: A-

FoxSports.com: “Given how explosive the Miami Dolphins’ offense can be, it makes sense to boost a pass rush to punish opposing quarterbacks attempting to keep up, especially with former first-round edge rusher Jaelen Phillips struggling to stay healthy. Robinson explodes off the ball like he has springs in his shoes. While the splash is undeniable, his iffy productivity is worrisome. In a position group full of boom-or-bust prospects, Robinson is the biggest lottery ticket of them all.” Grade: B+

SBNation.com: “While I would’ve gone for a lineman here to protect QB Tua Tagovailoa, Chop Robinson here is a fine pick. The Dolphins current EDGEs, Bradley Chubb and Jaelan Phillips, are both coming off really bad lower body injuries and it might be time to get some more insurance. Robinson is a blur off the edge in the passing game, and while his run defense leaves a bit to be desired, with Shaq Barrett on the field he might not have to play the run early in his career. A fine pick for the Dolphins at a position of need.” Grade: B+

BleacherReport.com: “The 6’3″, 254-pound pass-rusher explodes off the ball with the quickest first step of any edge prospect in this year’s class. In fact, his 4.48-second 40-yard dash at this year’s NFL Scouting Combine was the fifth-fastest among 250-plus-pound edge-rushers at the combine since 2003, according to NFL Next Gen Stats. He also has the flexibility to turn the corner and shorten the path toward opposing quarterbacks.”

“Robinson’s paltry total of 11.5 career sacks shouldn’t fool anyone. He led the Big Ten in pass-rush grade and pass-rush win rate this past season, per Pro Football Focus. The first-team All-Big Ten selection is an explosive edge-rusher with the potential to grow into an every-down player.”

Strengths: Lightning-quick off the snap, Gumby-like flexibility, multiple pass-rush moves, build belies power.

Weaknesses: Needs to improve against the run, can be rocked by bigger/longer offensive linemen.

Grade: B

PFF.com: “Robinson, ranked 40th on the PFF big board, could be considered a bit of a reach, but his potential is undeniable. He has dimensions of power and speed in his pass-rush arsenal. He also earned a 93.9 pass-rush grade over the past two seasons, which ranks second among FBS edge defenders — behind the Colts’ Laiatu Latu. Miami’s edge group could be a dominant unit if Robinson achieves his potential and Bradley Chubb and Jaelan Phillips recover from their injuries.” Grade: Average

The Miami Dolphins, as things stand now, have one pick on Friday, and that’s their second-round selection, the No. 55 pick of the NFL draft, and the 23rd pick of the round.

Here are 20 players who might be available when the Dolphins make their selection, guys who either fit Miami’s needs or reasonably fit into the best player available category: 

Ja’Tavion Sanders, TE, Texas

Sanders (6-4, 245) is thin, but he could be an immediate No. 3 receiver behind recceivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, and ahead of tight ends Durham Smythe and Jonnu Smith, and slot receiver Braxton Berrios. He’s athletic with good hands, and could be the missing link in the passing game.

Javon Bullard, S, Georgia

Bullard (5-11, 198) can play safety and slot/nickel, which offers the type of value the Dolphins need. He’s not ideal at either right now, but he’ll have time to grow as a rookie and he’d be an insurance policy in case safety Jevon Holland (final year of contract) or safety Jordan Poyer (one-year contract) doesn’t return.

Jackson-Powers Johnson, IOL, Oregon

Powers-Johnson (6-3, 328) is a talented center/guard who might be the best center in the draft. However, he’s considered good enough that the Dolphins could start him at either position as a rookie.

Michael Hall, DT, Ohio State

Hall (6-3, 290) needs to add weight, but he could fit with the Dolphins as a rotational player in his rookie season, learning from fellow defensive lineman Zach Sieler while adding bulk. 

Patrick Paul, OT, Houston

Paul (6-7, 331) is long-armed, athletic, and smart. He could start at guard as a rookie and then kick outside to left tackle next season, assuming Pro Bowl left tackle Terron Armstead retires. 

Braden Fiske, DT, Florida State

Fiske (6-4, 292) is a relative lightweight so he needs to add bulk, but he’s a high-motor guy with good feet and a relentless attitude. He’d be a good fit alongside Sieler because they’re both fairly athletic.  

Ben Sinnott, TE, Kansas State

Sinnott (6-4, 250) could be slightly over-drafted as a second-rounder, but he had 49 receptions, 676 yards and six touchdowns, and was called upon to block regularly, so he could either play alongside Smythe or rotate with Smythe.

Zach Frazier, C, West Virginia

Frazier (6-3, 313) is barrel-chested, strong and agile. If the Dolphins go for an interior offensive lineman in the second round, and more specifically, a center, he’s a good choice.

Kris Jenkins, DT, Michigan

Jenkins (6-3, 299), whose father, Kris, was a Pro Bowl defensive tackle for Carolina and the New York Jets, is smallish, but he’s adept on taking on double teams. He’d fill the void left by ex-Dolphins defensive lineman Christian Wilkins.  

Jer’Zhan Newton, DT, Illinois

Newton (6-2, 304) is athletic and smart, which is how he makes up for his lack of bulk. He shows knowledge of angles and combines that with good feet to stop the run and rush the passer. He’d likely start alongside Sieler.

Kingsley Suamataia, OT, BYU

Suamataia (6-5, 326) is a bit rough around the edges but he has the potential to develop quickly, which is generally what you want from a second-round pick. Suamataia can play left or right tackle but it’s not known if he can play guard. Still, he’d be a good fit as a backup tackle.

Ennis Rakestraw Jr., CB, Missouri

Rakestraw (5-11, 183) is here because, as the Dolphins have shown the past two seasons, you can never have too many cornerbacks. This pick, which seems unlikely but possible, would be more of a statement about the projected development of Cam Smith, last year’s second-round pick, than Rakestraw’s talent.

Jaden Hicks, S, Washington State

Hicks (6-2, 211) is big-bodied and physical. He can play in the box or play deep, which means he has versatility, and that’s a bonus as the Dolphins’ safeties unit, Holland and Jordan Poyer might not return intact after this season.

Christian Haynes, G, Connecticut

Haynes (6-3, 317) is regarded as a starting-caliber NFL right guard right now, and that could be intriguing and freeing for the Dolphins, who need interior offensive line help, especially at right guard, where Rob Hunt departed.

Blake Fisher, OT, Notre Dame

Fisher (6-6, 310) can play right or left tackle due to his athleticism and good feet but he’s regarded as a better RT prospect. It’s not known whether Fisher can play guard, which could be a requirement for him as a rookie.

Roger Rosengarten, OT, Washington

Rosengarten (6-5, 308) is a bit of a work in progress because he’s a bit slow but he’s smart and has a little bit of athleticism. He’d be viewed as a replacement for Armstead down the line.

Cooper DeJean, S, Iowa

DeJean (6-0, 203) is a bit of a ’tweener meaning he’s one of the best cornerbacks in the draft but some think he’s better suited for safety. Whatever the case, the Dolphins could use his athleticism. 

Adonai Mitchell, WR, Texas

Mitchell (6-2, 205) has the size and speed the Dolphins could use among their receiver ranks. Yes, Miami already has two quality receivers, but as the Dolphins saw late last season there could be big problems if one is slowed.

Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama

McKinstry (5-11, 199) could be another testament to what the Dolphins have learned the hard way, which is you can never have too many cornerbacks. Yes, Miami has lots of possibilities but there’s no guarantee players such as Smith and Nik Needham will be ready to contribute and play well.

Maason Smith, DT, LSU

Smith (6-5, 306) is a bit inexperienced but Miami has lots of defensive tackles so there might not be a pressure on Smith to play immediately. Then again, Miami probably needs someone to be a starter or top rotational player so Smith might be hard-pressed to fill the role the Dolphins need.

Former Tennessee Volunteers defensive end Tyler Baron is now in the NCAA Transfer Portal and visiting the Miami Hurricanes.

Former Tennessee defensive end Tyler Baron was uber-productive for the Vols in 2023. He logged 28 tackles, six sacks, two pass deflections, and a forced fumble, becoming one of their most consistent run defenders. While he succeeded on Rocky Top, Baron opted to enter the NCAA Transfer Portal during the winter window.

He initially committed to the Ole Miss Rebels but flipped and signed with the Louisville Cardinals. Baron spent the spring in Louisville, but he decided to enter the portal again once the spring window opened. He’s struggled to find a home since leaving Tennessee but hopes to find one in his next move. Baron has NFL potential and traits and could be a season away from a big payday.

Baron is still commanding Power-4 interest across the country. His first recruiting trip in the spring portal will be with the Miami Hurricanes. 247Sports’ Matt Zenitz reported that Baron will be in Coral Gables, Florida, this weekend.

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