Dolphins Fans Love Chop Robinson Draft Pick to Boost DL After Christian Wilkins Exit

Featured Columnist IVApril 26, 2024

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MARCH 01: Chop Robinson #DL45 of Penn State poses for portraits at the Indiana Convention Center on March 1, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Todd Rosenberg/Getty Images)

Todd Rosenberg/Getty Images

The Miami Dolphins already have Tua Tagovailoa, Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle and Raheem Mostert on the offensive side of the ball, so they jumped at the opportunity to land one of the best defensive prospects available in Thursday's NFL draft.

Miami selected Penn State defensive end Chop Robinson with the No. 21 overall pick, who can bolster a defensive line that lost Christian Wilkins to free agency this offseason.

Social media had plenty of reactions to the selection:

NFL Network @nflnetwork
Chop Robinson is headed to South Beach 🐬 The <a href="https://twitter.com/MiamiDolphins?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MiamiDolphins</a> add to their pass rush! <a href="https://t.co/gvFWpqlGxl">pic.twitter.com/gvFWpqlGxl</a>

Greg Gabriel @ggabefootball
Edge Chop Robinson to the Dolphins. Love his upside. Great pick for Miami

Ari Meirov @MySportsUpdate
The <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Dolphins?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Dolphins</a> are selecting Penn State DE Chop Robinson with pick No. 21. Some reinforcements after losing key defenders in free agency. <a href="https://t.co/wS3BRzk0lZ">pic.twitter.com/wS3BRzk0lZ</a>

Omar Kelly @OmarKelly
Chop Robinson presents the elite measurables the NFL hasn't seen since Micah Parsons and Myles Garrett were in the process. Problem is, his college productivity (60 tackles, 11.5 sacks, 3 forced fumbles) in three seasons (35 games) doesn't measure up to those NFL elites. While…

Big E @ian693
With the 21st pick of the 2024 NFL Draft, the Miami Dolphins select Chop Robinson, EDGE rusher. LETS GOOOOOOO!!!!!! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GoFins?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GoFins</a>

Woodson @WoodsonLondon
Love this pick by the dolphins, idc what anyone says Chop Robinson is gonna be a DAWG, don't be surprised when he's DROY

Chuck Fins Up @ChuckFinsUp
Our edge room just got another absolute unit

mr. nobody.™ @soopavillainnn
the Dolphins drafting Chop Robinson was a smart move Wilkins is gone & Chop is a nice replacement on that defensive line

Tong Talking Sports @Tong_talksports
Chop to the dolphins will definitely improve the defense, given that Wilkins is gone

Josh Shank (Shedeur Sanders) @JTShank_10
Incredible pick by the dolphins with Chop Robinson. Especially after getting rid of Wilkins

jack @unevolvedape
<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Dolphins?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Dolphins</a> take EDGE Chop Robinson Most apt name in this class Fins need help on the D-line after Wilkins left in FA so this makes total sense

B/R's NFL Scouting Department ranked Robinson as the No. 19 overall player and No. 4 edge-rusher in this draft in its latest big board, underscoring the value the Dolphins landed with the 21st selection.

"Demeioun 'Chop' Robinson might have the best combination of get-off and bend in this draft class," Matt Holder wrote. "He's lightning-quick off the ball and very flexible in his lower body.

"He's a top-tier athlete which, combined with how well he sets up his pass-rush moves, gives him a ton of potential as an edge-rusher in the NFL."

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Robinson started his collegiate career at Maryland but became more of a defensive force after he transferred to Penn State ahead of the 2022 campaign. He posted 5.5 sacks in that first season with the Nittany Lions and then followed up with four sacks in 2023.

There is something to be said about his lack of overall sack production, especially for a defensive end who became a first-round pick.

Still, the Dolphins surely love his upside given the explosiveness he has consistently shown along the defensive front. He will likely see far fewer double teams as a rookie than he did as one of Penn State's defensive stars, which could lead to additional sacks.

Miami lost some firepower along its defensive front when Wilkins departed. He just posted a career-best nine sacks during the 2023 campaign, so the defensive line will need to collectively figure out a way to replicate that lost production.

Robinson is someone who can help it do just that.