How experts graded Dolphins' pick of Chop Robinson in NFL draft
The Miami Dolphins' selection of Penn State edge rusher Chop Robinson in the first round Thursday night was met with good reviews by those analyzing the selections - as well as some concerns.
Rob Rang, Fox Sports NFL Draft analyst, gave the Dolphins a B+ on making Robinson the 21st overall pick.
"Robinson explodes off the ball like he has springs in his shoes," Rang wrote. "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."
USA Today's Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz gave the Dolphins a B for the pick.
"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."
More: QBs, beware: Penn State's Chop Robinson taking talents, legendary nickname, to NFL
Walter Football also gave Miami a B grade on Robinson.
"Chop Robinson’s range was in the 20s – arguably a bit ahead of (FSU edge rusher) Jared Verse, depending on whom you ask – so the Dolphins are getting appropriate value. They needed a pass rusher to hound all the great quarterbacks in the AFC, and Robinson will help them do that."
However, CBS' Pete Prisco gave Miami an A for Chop and gushed for the player with the first round's best nickname.
"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."
Another A was handed out by NFL Draft Fan Nation.
"A hyper-athletic pass rusher with elite get off on the ball, Robinson is a monster on the edge and can thrive in the right environment."
Pro Football Network gave the pick a B- with a warning. "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."
ESPN's draft crew liked Robinson, but agreed he needs to develop a counter move to be successful in the NFL.
"He needs more sack production ... had 4 sacks on the year, 9 1/2 in his career," said Mel Kiper Jr. "He has great first quickness, first step. Needs that counter move. Effort there for the most part. Will coaching make him a guy who can get there?"
Booger McFarland added that the Dolphins, whose edge rushers Bradley Chubb and Jaedan Phillips are coming off season-ending injuries, are "trying to get the edge rusher right. They need some heat up front."
Louis Riddick compared Robinson to former Colts defensive end Dwight Feeney. "See how he's built. He's all muscle."
ESPN draft host Mike Greenberg had the best line: "He was big when he was little."
More: Who did the Dolphins draft? Tracking every Miami selection in 2024 NFL Draft
NFL Network's Charles Davis had another warning for Robinson.
"He has to get stronger in that upper body because you know who he has to get on the ground ... (Bills quarterback) Josh Allen in the AFC East. Good luck doing that."
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Experts grade Dolphins on first-round pick Chop Robinson
