When a rising NFL star goes out of his way to heap praise on a rookie, it’s worth paying attention. But when that praise comes from Miami Dolphins standout edge rusher Jaelan Phillips—himself one of the league’s premier young defenders—and it’s directed at first-year linebacker Chop Robinson, it signals something much deeper.
“I truly feel like Chop is going to be one of the best players in the league,” Phillips said when asked about his early impressions of Robinson during training camp. “He’s a future Defensive Player of the Year candidate.”
That’s not hyperbole. That’s not a veteran hyping up a teammate for the cameras. That’s one of the most physically gifted pass rushers in the NFL making a bold prediction based on firsthand knowledge, and the football world should take notice.
Robinson, the Dolphins’ 2025 first-round draft pick out of Penn State, came into the league surrounded by curiosity, awe, and skepticism. He was viewed by many analysts as one of the most “toolsy” prospects in recent memory—possessing off-the-charts explosiveness, elite burst off the edge, and the kind of raw athleticism that scouts dream of. But because his college production didn’t quite match his traits on paper, questions lingered about whether he could refine his game quickly enough to become a consistent NFL contributor.
Just a few months into his professional career, he’s already flipping the narrative.
According to teammates, coaches, and now one of the Dolphins’ most respected defensive leaders, Robinson is not only adjusting to the league—he’s thriving. And it’s not just about athleticism anymore. It’s about hunger. Discipline. Football IQ. And a relentless motor that’s already wreaking havoc in training camp.
“He doesn’t just run fast—he runs smart,” said one Dolphins assistant. “He’s starting to understand how to set up tackles, how to read protections. That’s the part that separates good athletes from great players.”
And that’s exactly what Phillips was referencing. The leap from college star to NFL playmaker is brutal. The league is filled with guys who ran 4.4s, benched 30 reps, and jumped through the roof at the Combine. What sets the elite apart is their ability to pair those gifts with work ethic, technical mastery, and the kind of mentality that devours reps like oxygen.
By all accounts, Robinson has that mindset.
He shows up early. Stays late. Watches film with veterans. Accepts coaching without ego. And perhaps most importantly, he studies the ones who’ve been there. Guys like Phillips. Bradley Chubb. Christian Wilkins before he left for Las Vegas. He doesn’t just listen—he absorbs.
That alone would make Robinson a valuable addition to any defense. But the Dolphins didn’t draft him to be valuable. They drafted him to be a game-changer. And now, just weeks into his NFL journey, his teammates are talking about him like he already is.
“He’s the kind of guy who changes your entire pressure package,” another veteran defender said. “Because with him and JP [Phillips] on opposite sides, you can’t double both. And if you try, our interior guys will eat you alive.”
That versatility is exactly why Miami targeted him. Defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver—brought in this offseason to retool a talented but injury-riddled Dolphins defense—believes in creating chaos with waves of speed and power. He wants pressure from all angles, with linebackers who can blitz, bend, or drop into coverage without giving the offense any tells. Robinson fits that philosophy perfectly.
“He’s not just a pass rusher,” Weaver said. “He’s a defender. He’s a problem.”
Still, Defensive Player of the Year talk for a rookie?
It’s rare. It’s bold. But it’s not unprecedented.
Micah Parsons shattered expectations when he entered the league, and so did Nick Bosa and Chase Young. In each case, the common denominator wasn’t just raw ability—it was confidence, opportunity, and a team willing to unleash them early.
That’s exactly what Phillips sees in Robinson.
“You see the flash plays, sure. But it’s how he’s learning—that’s what impresses me,” Phillips continued. “He asks questions. He wants to understand the ‘why.’ You get that kind of focus with his kind of ability? It’s scary.”
It’s also personal for Phillips. The two share similar paths—both were elite college prospects with injury concerns, both entered the NFL with doubters questioning their refinement, and both quickly showed they were built for more.
For Phillips, it took him a little over a year to become a force. After a standout second season in Miami where he posted 15 sacks and earned Pro Bowl consideration, he suffered an Achilles tear that ended his 2024 campaign prematurely. Now healthy and returning with a vengeance, he sees in Robinson a version of himself—but even more explosive.
“He’s faster than I was,” Phillips admitted with a laugh. “And that’s saying something.”
Beyond physical traits, Robinson brings an edge that has always defined great Dolphins defenses. Think Jason Taylor. Zach Thomas. Cameron Wake. These weren’t just talented players—they were tone-setters. They brought juice, every snap, every week. Robinson’s game, while still developing, already carries that energy.
Fans are noticing, too. At open practices, he’s often the one drawing roars after blowing past tackles in one-on-ones or collapsing the pocket during scrimmages. His speed off the line is startling—one coach said he times faster than most wide receivers on his first 10 yards—and his closing burst is as elite as anyone in the league.
And yet, he’s not a finished product. Not close.
That’s what makes Phillips’ comments so intriguing.
For a player of Phillips’ caliber—one who understands the grind of becoming elite, who knows what it takes to rise from potential to production—to see a Defensive Player of the Year future in Robinson, it means there’s something different in the way this rookie is wired.
“This isn’t me trying to hype him up,” Phillips clarified. “I’m telling you what I see every day. Chop’s going to be a problem for a long, long time.”
For Dolphins fans, those words carry weight. Miami’s defense, already stacked with talent, now boasts a potentially generational edge tandem in Phillips and Robinson. If they both stay healthy, they could terrorize AFC quarterbacks for the next five years.
But it’s bigger than sacks. It’s about culture. Robinson fits the attitude the Dolphins are trying to instill—fast, fearless, and physical. He plays every snap like it’s a tryout. Every rep like it’s the fourth quarter.
And now, with Phillips mentoring him, motivating him, and publicly vouching for him, Chop Robinson enters the 2025 season not just as a rookie to watch, but as one of the most intriguing young defenders in the entire NFL.
Will he reach Defensive Player of the Year heights? Only time will tell.
But when a Pro Bowl pass rusher, who knows the grind, sees it in you this early—it’s not just praise.
It’s prophecy.
