Miami Dolphins linebacker Chop Robinson has been named a finalist for the AP Defensive Rookie of the Year, the Associated Press and NFL announced Thursday.
Robinson, who was also named to the 2024 PFWA All-Rookie Team earlier this week, was one of the most impactful defensive rookies in 2024. He appeared in all 17 games with one start during his first NFL season, recording 26 tackles (16 solo), 6.0 sacks, eight tackles for loss, 14 quarterback hits and four passes defensed. His 6.0 sacks and 14 quarterback hits were both the second-most among NFL rookies in 2024. He also tied Marco Coleman (1992) for the fifth-most sacks among rookies in franchise history.
Robinson's growth and development came into focus particularly in the second half of the season after logging his first-career sack in Week 9 against AFC East rival Buffalo. He recorded another sack in Miami's Week 10 victory over the L.A. Rams on Monday Night Football and logged multi-sack games against New England in Week 12 and at Houston in Week 15. Robinson was also pivotal in Miami's Week 16 win over San Francisco. He sacked quarterback Brock Purdy for a loss of seven yards on second-and-10 with less than a minute remaining in the game that helped cement Miami's victory.
Robinson was selected by Miami in the first round (21st overall) of the 2024 NFL Draft out of Penn State, where he played two seasons (2022-23) and totaled 41 tackles (31 solo), 9.5 sacks, three passes defensed, three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. He transferred from Maryland, where he recorded 19 tackles (12 solo) and 2.0 sacks as a true freshman.
He is looking to become just the third player in Dolphins history to win AP Defensive Rookie of the Year. Defensive tackle Tim Bowens won it in 1994 and linebacker A.J. Duhe earned the accolade in 1977.
Winners will be announced at NFL Honors presented by Invisalign on Thursday, Feb. 6 at 9 p.m. ET at Saenger Theatre in New Orleans. The show will be broadcast on FOX and NFL Network and streamed on NFL+. Fans may visit www.nfl.com/honors for more information.
