Dolphins Expect Chop Robinson To Become ‘Complete’ Player

“Hopefully he becomes an every-down player,” Dolphins rookie head coach Jeff Hafley said (via Louis-Jacques). “I think the easy answer is his pass rush, his get off, his ability to affect the quarterback; but I’m looking for a lot more from Chop.”

Formerly with Maryland and Penn State, Robinson entered the pros as the 21st overall pick in 2024. While Robinson only started in one of 17 games during a full rookie season, he played 53.1% of defensive snaps and posted solid production. Tallying 26 tackles, 14 quarterback hits, eight TFL and six sacks was enough for a fifth-place finish in Defensive Rookie of the Year voting.

Miami surely expected Robinson to continue ascending last season, but the 6-foot-3, 254-pounder’s numbers went backward. Over 15 games (three starts) and 38.94% of defensive snaps, he contributed 21 tackles, seven QB hits, four TFL and four sacks. Both Robinson’s pressure rate and run stop win rate fell by a few percentage points along the way, Louis-Jacques notes. Furthermore, after Pro Football Focus gave Robinson an impressive 70.0 overall grade as a rookie, his 2025 mark plummeted to 54.8. He ranked a lowly 100th out of 110 qualifiers at his position in that category.

The Dolphins’ new coaching staff is optimistic Robinson will rebound, as the defensive-minded Hafley said that “he needs to become a complete football player going into Year 3, and we have high expectations for him.” There is now a much clearer path to playing time for Robinson, who is no longer behind veteran pass rushers Jaelan Phillips and Bradley Chubb in the pecking order. The rebuilding Dolphins traded Phillips to the Eagles before last November’s deadline and then released Chubb in the offseason. While they have brought in Josh Uche, David Ojabo, fourth-round pick Trey Moore and seventh-rounder Max Llewellyn to replenish their group along the edge, Robinson stands out as their highest-upside option.

Miami is likely to base its fifth-year option decision on how Robinson performs this season, according to Louis-Jacques. If he lives up to his potential in his first year playing for Hafley, the Dolphins figure to exercise it. Otherwise, declining it would set Robinson up for a second straight prove-it year in 2027.