Why Dolphins believe Robinson will now thrive, when healthy. And personnel news
Will the Dolphins’ trade of Jaelan Phillips to Philadelphia help unleash Chop Robinson and help him break out of a sophomore slump?
That’s certainly the hope inside team headquarters.
Robinson seems unlikely to play in Sunday’s home game against Buffalo (1 p.m., CBS 4) because of a concussion; he’s not yet practicing.
But eventually, the Dolphins “absolutely” believe that an increase in workload will help Robinson return to the form he flashed during the second half of his rookie season, defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver said Thursday.
“Once Chop feels good, we expect him to be as good as a year ago,” Weaver said.
Among the reasons for Weaver feeling that way: With more snaps, he should be able to develop more of a rhythm rushing the passer.
“There is absolutely a rhythm to it,” Weaver said. “You are trying to get a feel for how a guy is going to set you up. There is balance and rhythm. There is an art to pass rushing. If you are not out there consistently, it’s hard to set those things up.”
Last season, Robinson was on the field for 565 plays — 53% of the team’s defensive snaps — and produced six sacks and eight tackles for loss.
This season, he has played 37 percent of the team’s defensive snaps (202) and has one sack and two tackles for loss.
Pro Football Focus ranks Robinson 109th among 119 edge players this season, including 86th against the run.
Internal belief in Robinson is one reason the team felt comfortable trading Phillips, who’s an impending unrestricted free agent, to Philadelphia for a 2026 third-round pick.
Among the team’s other edge rushers besides Robinson and Bradley Chubb, Weaver said: “I expect Cameron Goode, Matthew Judon to play their absolute best.”
He said newcomer Andre Carter II, who was poached from Detroit’s practice squad this week, “has tremendous length. We will see if he can help us as a pure rusher. That’s where you can get in early. And we will see [eventually] what he can do as a SAM linebacker.”
▪ Weaver seemed relieved that the Dolphins didn’t trade any other defensive players beyond Phillips.
“I’m a much better coach when those guys are in the building,” he said.
This and that
Along with Robinson, cornerback Rasul Douglas (foot/ankle), receiver Dee Eskridge (shoulder) and safety Ifeatu Melifonwu (thumb/foot) did not appear to practice Thursday.
Running back Ollie Gordon II (ankle) was limited but said he’s fine to play Sunday. Also limited this week: Chubb (foot), defensive lineman Zach Sieler (shoulder), safety Ashtyn Davis (quadriceps) and tight end Julian Hill (ankle).
Offensive coordinator Frank Smith is cautiously “optimistic” about Hill returning from a two-game absence “but we will have to work through the full week to know.”
Hill’s potential return from an ankle injury should not necessarily impact the Dolphins’ usage of Daniel Brunskill as a sixth lineman, Smith said. Brunskill has played 26 snaps as a sixth lineman over the past two weeks.
In Hill’s absence, veteran tight end Greg Dulcich made five catches for 49 yards in his Dolphins debut, against Baltimore. “It validated some of the things we saw on tape, his ability in the passing game,” Smith said. “Diligent worker. Great for the world to see how he can help us.”
▪ The revolving door at safety opposite Minkah Fitzpatrick hasn’t helped matters this season. Melifonwu and Davis have both missed time with injuries and are injured again.
“You always like consistency especially in the secondary because it requires guys to be there on the same page,” Weaver said. “There probably has been disruption in communication. We don’t use that as an excuse.”
The Dolphins remain bullish on the future of rookie fifth-round safety Dante Trader Jr.
Brian Duker, who coaches the team’s defensive backs, said: “I feel good about what he has shown… Good athlete, good instincts. Professional in his approach. I think he will be a good starter for us.”
▪ Though Patrick Paul has been very good in pass protection, PFF rates him only 51st among 75 left tackles because of run blocking. PFF grades him as the sixth-worst run blocking tackle in the league.
His run blocking remains a work in progress.
“In college football, it’s all spread out,” Smith said. “The differences in the pro system where everything is packed in you have to get used to tighter spaces, things moving quicker.”
▪ With regard to the team’s young cornerbacks who haven’t played much, Duker reiterated the team has high hopes for Juju Brents (who’s on the 53-man roster) and Isaiah Johnson (who’s on the practice squad and made his NFL debut against Baltimore).
“I like [Brents’] professionalism and approach”, Duker said. “Really long athlete, does a great job in run game and challenging at the line of scrimmage. “Isaiah is a long athletic smart guy. We like the skill set.”
▪ Weaver challenged his players this week by mentioning how former Orlando Magic guard Nick Anderson’s career declined after he missed four consecutive free throws in Game 1 of the 1995 NBA Finals against Houston. He compared that to Kobe Bryant launching four airballs in overtime of a 1997 playoff game against Utah, but then going on to a Hall of Famer career.
The message: “You either be Nick Anderson and wallow in self-pity” or you find a way out.
▪ Excluding the kicker and punter, special teams coordinator Craig Aukerman cited K.J. Britt, Goode, Malik Washington and Dee Eskridge as the team’s top special teams performers.
Among NFL players with at least 20 returns, Washington is second in kickoff return average (26.8) and Eskridge (25.8). Washington is second in punt return average (15.9).
This story was originally published November 6, 2025 at 12:30 PM.
