MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – The Miami Dolphins have signed their first-round pick defensive end/ linebacker Chop Robinson.
The deal is for 4 years/ $14.9 million and includes a $7.711 million signing bonus, according to NFL insider Aaron Wilson.
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The Dolphins can now focus on what’s ahead after signing every 2024 draft pick before the start of training camp.
Robinson was selected with the 21st pick of the 2024 NFL Draft.
He played in 22 games and made 10 starts over two seasons (2022-23) as a Penn State Nittany Lion, where he totaled 41 tackles (31 solo), 9.5 sacks, three passes defensed, three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.
Long before his draft selection, Chop, whose real name is Demeioun Robinson, was 14 pounds at birth, and his mother gave him the nickname “porkchop” because of his size.
“I was heavy, I was huge,” Robinson said in an interview with NFL reporters. “I had no neck, no elbows, no knees.
Robinson, 21, said he eventually dropped the “pork” in his nickname after he slimmed down and became the athletic specimen he is today.
He was named First Team All-Big Ten in 2023 after recording four sacks and 7.5 tackles for loss in 10 games played at Penn State.
Robinson also led the Big Ten in pressure rate (18.6%) over the past two seasons, according to NFL.com.
As a sophomore, Robinson recorded 10 tackles for a loss and 5.5 sacks; both figures topped his totals from the 2023 season.
Many draft experts believe Robinson has the quickest first step out of all the draft prospects which could translate to a lot of sack opportunities for the former Nittany Lion.
Chop ran a 4.48 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine, which was only second to Alabama DE/ LB Dallas Turner among edge rushers.
The Dolphins needed a bolster to their pass rush after Robinson’s two Dolphins teammates could still be recovering when the 2024 season rolls around.
Jaelan Phillips suffered a torn Achilles, while Bradley Chubb suffered a torn ACL, with both injuries occurring late in the 2023 season.
It wouldn’t be a surprise if Robinson ends up starting in new defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver’s defense by the time the regular season rolls around.
The Dolphins also added former Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive end Shaquil “Shaq” Barrett, who had 4.5 sacks for Tampa Bay in 16 starts last season.