Dolphins fly receiver-turned-pass rusher into team headquarters for predraft visit
The Dolphins, searching for another pass rusher and edge player to develop, flew in Miami of Ohio prospect Dominique Robinson to team headquarters on Monday, according to a school source familiar with his schedule.
Robinson, who is 6-5 and 253 pounds, spent his first two college seasons at wide receiver, catching 27 passes for 452 yards and two touchdowns, before shifting to defensive end before the 2020 season.
Robinson produced 37 tackles, including 11 for loss, and 6.5 sacks in just 15 games as a college defensive end. He was voted third-team All Conference after producing 4.5 sacks in 12 games last season.
NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein assessed Robinson this way:
“Wideout turned quarterback hunter with the bricks and mortar needed to build an impactful career as a 3-4 outside linebacker or 4-3 rush end. Robinson frequently flashes despite his relative inexperience at the position.
“He’s quick off the snap, using plus fluidity, athleticism and bend to trim the edge and assail the pocket. However, he needs additional moves and counters before he’s ready to beat pro tackles. He must get stronger and more technically sound in run support. Aligning as a stand-up rush linebacker might help expand his range as a playmaker in space. Robinson projects as an unpolished gem with a high ceiling and stable floor.”
NFL teams are permitted to bring as many as 30 nonlocal prospects to team headquarters for meetings and medical checks.
The Dolphins, like most teams, do not announce their visits.
But the Miami Herald has reported five of their visits: Robinson, LSU running back Tyrion Davis-Price, Georgia linebacker Channing Tindall, Baylor safety JT Woods and California outside linebacker Cameron Goode.
The Dolphins have only four draft picks — 102 (end of third round, via San Francisco), 125 (a fourth-rounder) and two seventh-rounders: 224 and 247.
MOCK PICK
ESPN’s Todd McShay and Mel Kiper Jr. alternated mock draft picks in the first three rounds, and Kiper has Miami taking Penn State inside linebacker Brandon Smith at 102.
“Since this is Miami’s first pick of the draft, I’m going to follow my board and take the best prospect available,” Kiper said. “Smith has some limitations in coverage, but he will seek and destroy running backs. If the Dolphins are serious about stopping the run in 2022, Smith will help.”
Kiper, incidentally, has Tindall going 66th and Woods 98.
Keep an eye on Western Kentucky outside linebacker DeAngelo Malone; the Dolphins have spent time with him, and McShay has him going 94th.
Miami is searching for competition at center, and McShay has Arizona State center Dohnovan West going 101st, one spot before Miami.
JERSEY NUMBERS
The Dolphins announced that top new additions Tyreek Hill will wear 10 and Terron Armstead 72.
Numbers for their other new players: Chase Edmonds (2), Thomas Morstead (4), Teddy Bridgewater (5), Cedrick Wilson Jr. (11), Trent Sherfield (14), Keion Crossen (27), Alec Ingold (30), Raheem Mostert (31), Connor Williams (58).
This story was originally published April 19, 2022 at 12:50 PM.
