Dolphins Q&A: Would Dolphins have been better served by paying Van Ginkel instead of drafting Chop Robinson?

Here’s the latest installment of our Miami Dolphins Q&A, where South Florida Sun Sentinel writers David Furones and Chris Perkins answer questions from readers.

Q: ​​You guys don’t think paying AVG would have been better than drafting Chop? — Pete’s Takes on Dolphins Deep Dive w/Perk

Interesting idea. The Dolphins drafted Penn State edge rusher Chop Robinson with the No. 21 pick of the draft. He’s been labeled by some as a boom or bust prospect. Ex-Dolphins edge rusher Andrew Van Ginkel signed a two-year, $20 million contract with Minnesota, with $13 million guaranteed. That’s a lot of money for someone with 17.0 sacks in five seasons, including 6.0 last season.

On the other hand, the Dolphins need help at that position.

I’d have probably paid Van Ginkel that amount.

Perhaps Van Ginkel’s foot injury had something to do with the Dolphins’ decision.

Q: Chop more potential than AVG — NomadicBallers​​ on Dolphins Deep Dive w/Perk

There’s no doubt that Chop Robinson has more potential than Van Ginkel. The Dolphins’ current problem is putting early-season pressure on quarterbacks as Chubb and Phillips recover from their injuries. The Dolphins are very thin on edge rushers.

Q: ​​If it was BPA we would have taken the CB from Toledo and not Chop — Scott Proe on Dolphins Deep Dive w/Perk

You might be right about that. People like to talk about BPA (Best Player Available), but it often makes absolutely no sense. 

Toledo cornerback Quinyon Mitchell went to Philadelphia with the No. 22 pick of the draft, one pick after the Dolphins selected Robinson. I think Mitchell is a better prospect than Robinson, and will be a better player. But it’s close.

The main thing is the Dolphins needed an edge rusher more than they needed a cornerback. Despite what you might be led to believe, the Dolphins’ pick was made more from need than talent.

You want to know what BPA looks like in the real world?

Look at Atlanta drafting Oregon quarterback Michael Penix Jr. with the No. 8 pick of the draft just a few weeks after signing veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins to a four-year, $180 million contract with $100 million guaranteed.

Q: ​​Jackson Powers should have been the first pick. Automatic starter at guard. Yr thoughts? — Patrick Vecchio on Dolphins Deep Dive w/Perk

Oregon center-guard Jackson Powers-Johnson, who was selected by Las Vegas in the second round (44th pick), was mentioned as a Dolphins first-round possibility. It’s surprising he fell to the second round.

I like Robinson as the Dolphins’ first-round pick and offensive tackle Patrick Paul as their second-round pick. They’re both solid.

And general manager Chris Grier has a good history with first- and second-round picks.

Q: ​​Mostly a 2024 draft for the 2025 season — Tru Blazer on Dolphins Deep Dive w/Perk

A lot of people have said that about the Dolphins’ draft. I’d have preferred they try Paul at guard as a rookie. That way, he won’t be a second-year rookie, so to speak, when he (presumably) takes over for left tackle Terron Armstead next season.

Also, running back Jaylen Wright, the fourth-round pick, will be part of a three-man rotation, and edge rusher Mohamed Kamara, the fifth-round pick, was selected in a round where you don’t expect an immediate contribution.

However, Robinson will play as a rookie, and start early in the season. Paul should get four or five starts because Armstead is aging and dealing with a lot of injuries. And if recent history is any indication, Wright should also get a decent amount of snaps because running backs Raheem Mostert (age/injuries) and De’Von Achane (injuries) might have their snaps limited.

As for Kamara, he could play early in the season as starters Bradley Chubb (knee) and Jaelan Phillips (Achilles) recover.

So, while you could say it’s a draft for 2025, these rookies will have an opportunity to play in 2024.

Q: Perhaps, though, Perk, McDaniel is actually going to run the ball more this year to change things up to keep the receivers fresh late in the year — thoughts? — Peter McDowell​​ on Dolphins Deep Dive w/Perk

That’s one way to look at drafting Wright in the fourth round, and using a 2025 third-round pick to move up in the draft and make that selection. Among running backs Mostert, Achane, Wright, slashing veteran Jeff Wilson Jr., and young, powerful Chris Brooks, you’d hope coach Mike McDaniel calls more running plays.

Q: RB fits perfectly in this offense, Mostert and Achane were injured last season and this offense needs that type of RBs in order to continue doing what McDaniel loves to do, it was a great pick! —  Dolphins Deep Dive w/Perk

Let me be crystal clear on this: I like Wright. I don’t like using third- and fourth-round picks to draft him. He’s No. 3 in a rotation. And the Dolphins used a third-round pick on Achane last year. That’s a lot of draft capital for a team that finished 31st in rushing attempts in 2022, and frequently abandoned the run, even when it was working, in 2023.

It’s only a great pick if he gets the ball frequently, and if all goes according to plan he’ll be No. 5 in touches behind wide receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, and Mostert and Achane. 

If the Dolphins were going to use two draft picks on someone who would be No. 3 in a rotation, I’d have preferred a speedy wide receiver behind Hill and Waddle, a deficiency that caused major problems late last season when Hill and Waddle were slowed by injuries.

Q: I think Brooks can be our workhorse RB — Troy​​ on Dolphins Deep Dive w/Perk

I think that’s asking too much from the physical Brooks, the 2023 undrafted rookie from BYU, at this point. But he should have a role in short yardage and goal-line situations. Miami has a deficiency in that role, mostly from a play-calling standpoint.

Q: ​​Now that the Raiders drafted Bowers if you were Grier would you enquire about Mayer? — Jon Russell on Dolphins Deep Dive w/Perk

Las Vegas drafted Georgia tight end Brock Bowers in the first round, but I doubt the Dolphins would inquire about Las Vegas tight end Michael Mayer, last year’s starter. The Dolphins are OK (not strong) at tight end between Durham Smythe, the in-line or blocking tight end who recorded 35 receptions for 366 yards last season, and Jonnu Smith, the receiving tight end who had 50 receptions for 582 yards and three touchdowns for Atlanta last season.

Mayer, who had 27 receptions for 304 yards and two touchdowns last season, isn’t an upgrade over either.