Miami, FL
What they’re saying about Dolphins’ first-round draft pick Chop Robinson
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
Miami, FL
Miami-Dade deputy shoots and injures a 15-year-old after a firearm threat call, authorities say
The Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office is investigating a shooting involving one of its deputies in southwest Miami-Dade.
Assistant Sheriff Fernand Charles Jr., speaking at a press conference, reported that at approximately 3:30 p.m., a call was received about a firearm threat at a park located at SW 216th Street and 113 Avenue.
When deputies responded, they found a group of four juveniles at SW 222nd Street and 112nd Avenue. According to Charles Jr., a confrontation ensued, and one of the deputies discharged his weapon, striking a 15-year-old boy.
The subject was grazed in the ankle, and he was transported by Miami-Dade Fire Rescue in stable condition, Charles Jr. said.
Charles Jr. added that police recovered a firearm with an extended clip near where the teen was struck.
The three other teenagers were taken into custody by police. It is unclear what charges they will face.
Miami, FL
Jeff Hafley drops cold line about expectations for Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins have gone full rebuild mode during the 2026 offseason. Miami hired Jeff Hafley at head coach and promptly gutted the roster of veteran talent, including quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. The Dolphins plan to completely rebuild the organization from the ground up, which includes installing a brand new culture.
Hafley dropped a cold line at the NFL’s Annual League Meeting about setting a standard for his team. He gave an example of expecting his to perform despite adversity, including Miami’s intense heat.
“We’re going to sit down and have that conversation, and then don’t get mad at me when it’s 110 degrees and you don’t feel like doing it anymore,” Hafley said per team transcripts. “I’m going to make you do it because you told me when you were comfortable in this meeting room, in air conditioning, that that’s what you wanted and I’m going to remind you of that.”
Hafley wants his coaching staff to follow his lead, holding players accountable during practice sessions. If the Dolphins truly want to be a great team, that could be a necessary step.
“It’s going to be a shared vision and then my job and our job as coaches is to hold them to that, because if you’re telling me you want to be up here and be this great, OK, well this is what we’re going to do,” Hafley added.
One reason why Hafley’s approach could be smart is because Miami is about to add a ton of young talent.
Miami gained the 30th overall pick after trading Jaylen Waddle, giving them two first-round picks in April’s draft. The Dolphins will enter the draft with 11 total picks, allowing them to install the foundation of their roster for years to come.
It will be exciting to see Miami’s new culture take shape under Hafley’s leadership.
The Miami Dolphins have gone full rebuild mode during the 2026 offseason. Miami hired Jeff Hafley at head coach and promptly gutted the roster of veteran talent, including quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. The Dolphins plan to completely rebuild the organization from the ground up, which includes installing a brand new culture.
Miami, FL
No. 22 Kentucky Outlasts Miami University in Wild Affair
Kentucky drew 11 walks, took seven hit by pitch and found a way to do just enough to outlast a Miami University team with a strong offense, registering a 14-11 victory in front of 3,733 fans enjoying the 80 degree weather at Kentucky Proud Park.
Kentucky now is 22-6 overall and 5-4 in the Southeastern Conference.
Four different players drove in multiple runs, five had multiple hits and five drew a hit by pitch as the No. 22 Wildcats figured out a way to claim their 22nd victory of the season. The Cats erased deficits of 3-1 and 10-7 along the way with three more innings of at least three runs scored, including a six-run fourth inning.
Hudson Brown, Carson Hansen and Will Marcy each drove in three runs, Ethan Hindle reached base in five plate appearances without logging a single official at bat, Jayce Tharnish swiped his 19th base and Luke Lawrence extended his reached base streak to 33 games.
On the flip side, the UK pitching staff did not have its best outing but Nile Adcock was sensational in pitching the final 2.2 innings. He escaped a bases loaded situation in the seventh inning but striking out a pair of hitters on six total pitches after entering the game and earned his second win.
NOTES
- Kentucky is 22-6 on the season, 5-4 in SEC play.
- UK is 140-68 since the beginning of 2023.
- UK Coach Nick Mingione is in his 10th season at the helm and now owns a 315-198 career record.
- Mingione is the second-winningest coach in school history.
- Mingione is 186-54 in non-conference games.
- He is 165-25 vs. non-Power Four opponents.
- UK is 126-49 in the month of March under Coach Mingione.
- Mingione now is 8-0 vs. Miami.
- Mingione is 21-5 vs. teams from the state of Ohio.
- The Cats drew 10+ walks for the third time in the past five games.
- UK was hit by seven pitches.
- The Cats scored three runs or more three times.
- They now have scored at least three runs in an inning 32 times this season.
- IF Luke Lawrence has reached safely in 33 consecutive games.
- OF Jayce Tharnish went 2-for-4 with 3 R, RBI, BB, HBP, SB.
- Tharnish now is 19-of-20 on the season in stolen bases.
- That ties for the 6th most in the Mingione Era in a season.
- IF Ethan Hindle had five plate appearances without an official at bat.
- Hindle went 0-for-0 with three walks, two HBP, three runs, an RBI and a steal.
- IF Hudson Brown went 2-for-3 with a run, 3 RBI, 2B, HBP, BB, SF.
- He has 12 multi-hit games this season.
- OF Will Marcy went 1-for-4 with 3 RBI, 2B and BB.
- It was his second extra base hit in two injury-riddled years with the Cats.
- It’s a career high in RBI.
- OF Carson Hansen had a two-run HR and RBI single.
- RHP Nile Adcock got the win.
- He allowed one run in 2.2 innings.
- He entered in the seventh inning with the bases loaded and struck out two batters on six pitches to end the threat.
- Tharnish now is 19-of-20 on the season in stolen bases.
ON DECK
UK hosts Missouri this weekend beginning Friday night at 6:30 p.m. ET. The game is on SECN+ and the contest can be heard on UK Sports Network.
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