One bold prediction for Dolphins No. 21 overall pick Chop Robinson in 2024 NFL season

The Miami Dolphins would be set at the pass rush position if Jaelan Phillips and Bradley Chubb were fully healthy and not coming off season-ending injuries.  Would they have gone in a different direction in the 2024 NFL Draft if both were at full strength?  Possibility, but perhaps Chop Robinson was too good to pass up at No. 21.

The idea behind the selection of the former Penn State defensive star for the Dolphins was to add depth and perhaps get a player who could replace either Phillips or Chubb when their contracts are up.  Maybe, that’s a bit of pressure to put on a player selected in the late-first round, but the talent and speed is off the charts and a player who recorded double digit sacks in each of his three seasons at Penn State will get his chance to flourish.

With a strong camp, Robinson has created buzz in Miami, but the question is will he be able to translate that to live action once the 2024 NFL season is underway?  He may have no other choice depending on where Phillips and Chubb are in their recovery to full strength.

What the Miami Dolphins could have in Chop Robinson

Robinson has the skills and physical ability to be a great pass rush specialist for the Dolphins. With both Phillips and Chubb working their way back from season-ending injuries in 2023, Robinson will get his opportunity.  He will also get an opportunity to pick their brains while flashing what he can do on the field.

It’s early, but the rookie has received nothing but praise from Dolphins coaches and teammates.  That gives a young player with the talent Robinson has a boost in his confidence.  If Robinson does mature into a great pass rusher in Year 1, it could give the Dolphins cause to move on from either Phillips and Chubb if there was a necessity to clear cap space or create it.

In all, there’s a lot riding on this rookie and he knows it.  In talking about his progression so far in the NFL, he recognized the adjustments he needed to make and done just that.

"I feel like I've progressed a lot, especially from coming from college to here and then from first day of camp to here," Robinson said in a self-assessment, via NFL.com. "Just really with my hands, keeping my hands inside the offensive line with the tight end. I've been able to work on that every single day and it's just become second nature. So now I've been able to get under the tight end order, the alignment pads, and I've been able to create knockbacks."

Sounds like the sign of a good defensive player.

Bold prediction for the 2024 NFL season

Robinson will be on the field a lot for the Dolphins in 2024, even with Phillips and Chubb back.  The young rookie will give the team an opportunity to work those players back slowly and limit their snaps once they are fully healthy.  His athletic skills and speed will give the Dolphins flexibility on defense and will also allow them stay fresh once everyone is healthy. 

In all, it will be a solid season for Robinson.  He’ll account for 6.5 sacks with most of them coming early in the season.  He’ll also have an interception and 2 force fumbles in a rookie season in which he will struggle at times but make highlight worthy plays as well.