Miami Dolphins linebacker Chop Robinson hasn’t been overly productive over the last two seasons since the team took him in the first round (No. 21 overall) of the 2024 NFL draft.
In 32 career games, he’s recorded 47 tackles, 21 quarterback hits, 10 sacks, five passes defensed and one forced fumble.
Ahead of a recent practice session, Dolphins head coach Jeff Hafley explained what he wanted to see from Robinson in Year 3.
“Hopefully, he becomes an every-down player,” Hafley said. “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. He’s going to play a position where he’s going to line up in a 9-technique and play on tight ends and he has to set the edge.”
Robinson also spoke to the media himself, announcing that he’s added about seven pounds this offseason, going from 258 pounds to 265 pounds. He also explained that he feels better playing at the higher weight.
What did he need to fix to become that complete edge player that Hafley is looking for?
“Just my eyes in the run game because my eyes were affecting everything else,” Robinson said. “So now that I got my eyes right, I feel like it’s my hands and my feet is doing it natural now. So really just my eyes was the main thing.”
With two seasons under his belt, the draft position no longer matters for Robinson, but he still believes in himself.
“I’m never going to feel like I’m just another guy,” Robinson said. “I feel like I’m Chop, but the first round, all that stuff is out the window now. It’s just I’m an NFL player now, and I just got to go out there and do my job.”
Without Bradley Chubb or Jaelan Phillips on the field for the first time in his career, Robinson will serve as Miami’s top pass rusher. He’ll now have a chance to prove himself deserving of an extension next offseason.
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This article originally appeared on Dolphins Wire: Dolphins Chop Robinson reveals changes he’s made this offseason
Reporting by Mike Masala, Dolphins Wire / Dolphins Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Mike Masala, Dolphins Wire | USA TODAY Network
