Miami Dolphins second-year pass rusher Chop Robinson has not taken the major step up in his game that fans, media, and his fellow teammates anticipated. But it’s not entirely due to his play on the field.
Surprisingly, Robinson’s role in the Dolphins defense has diminished with the 2024 first-round pick seeing the field for just 38 percent of the team’s defensive snaps so far this year.
During his rookie season, Robinson turned increased snaps in the latter half of the year into six sacks and the fifth most votes for NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year. This season, Robinson has tallied just six tackles and one sack through six games.
The decrease in snaps for Robinson is largely due to Bradley Chubb and Jaelan Phillips returning from injury and reclaiming their roles as the Dolphins starting edge rushers.
Last season, Robinson played a significant role on the Dolphins defensive front with Chubb and Phillips were both out for the season. After a slow start, Robinson was one of the NFL’s most productive pass rushers in the back half of the year. Only Micah Parsons recorded more pressures than Robinson in Weeks 10-18.
During the offseason and training camp, Robinson was one of the most highly anticipated players on the Dolphins’ roster. Phillips even called him “a future Defensive Player of the Year candidate.” So what gives?
Chop Robinson’s lack of snaps are hurting his play
A couple weeks ago, Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver said the late August arrest of outside linebackers coach Ryan Crow may be part of the reason for Robinson’s oddly small role. Miami put Sean Ryan, a veteran NFL quarterbacks and receivers coach without much defensive experience, in charge of the edge rusher rotation.
“So much of that is a feel thing with Sean Ryan,” Weaver said. “He was kind of thrown into this right before the start of the season, so he’s trying to develop a feel for how to rotate these guys and make sure they’re getting enough reps and making sure that they can feel comfortable with the flow of the game.”
In the same answer, Weaver explained exactly why a lack of consistent snaps can make it hard for a pass rusher to get going.
“You don’t want to roll guys to roll guys because they are on a snap count, it’s not natural,” Weaver said. “You can’t set up offensive tackles. You can’t set up rushes. It’s hard.”
Regardless of the circumstances, the Dolphins must find a way to incorporate Robinson much more as the season moves forward — not only for 2025, but for the 22-year old’s long-term growth.
A key date that could change Robinson’s role on the Dolphins defense is the NFL trade deadline coming up on Nov. 4. Considering the Dolphins’ 1-5 record, there is a high probability they will be sellers at the deadline, and Chubb and Phillips have been two of the most mentioned names in trade rumors. The lackluster start may even incentivize the Dolphins to further showcase the abilities of Chubb and Phillips as much as possible ahead of the deadline.
If Phillips and/or Chubb are moved at the deadline, Robinson will likely shift into a starting role and have the opportunity to make an impact on the field like he did a season ago.
Robinson’s development and results on the field will be a major story for the Dolphins for the remainder of this season as playoff hopes do not appear to be in the cards.
This article originally appeared on Dolphins Wire: The Dolphins have to get Chop Robinson on the field more
