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
