Miami Dolphins reportedly had concerns about a logical first round fit per NFL insider

The Miami Dolphins had the opportunity to address a number of key areas in the first round of the NFL Draft, and they did that by taking Penn State edge rusher Chop Robinson with the 21st overall pick. 

Some wondered if the Dolphins might have settled for Robinson, whose athleticism and physical tools gives him a high upside despite very lacking production in college.  

However, according to ESPN NFL insider Jeremy Fowler, the Dolphins had their concerns about another first round edge rusher that had been seen as a potential first round option in Laiatu Latu of UCLA. 

"The only team I heard would have been uneasy about the medical was Miami, and for good reason: The Dolphins' starting edge rushers, Jaelan Phillips and Bradley Chubb, are both recovering from major injuries," Fowler wrote.  "They needed a healthy edge rusher, which they got with Penn State's Chop Robinson."

Latu ended up going to the Indianapolis Colts at 15, so he wasn't in play when they Dolphins picked at 21.  They would have had to go up and get him, but it sounds like his prior neck issue kept him off of their board. 

Latu medically retired in 2021 due to a neck injury, for which he had neck fusion surgery.  He transferred from Washington to UCLA, where he posted an incredible 23.5 sacks over the last two seasons.  

The Dolphins, interestingly, drafted a player in the first round of the 2021 who had medically retired in starting edge rusher Jaelan Phillips.  Phillips medically retired at UCLA after a number of injuries, but he transferred to Miami and finished his college career with the Hurricanes in 2020, posting 8 sacks and 15.5 tackles for loss. 

It's understandable that the Dolphins would want someone with a clean medical record after losing both Phillips and Bradley Chubb after Thanksgiving to serious season-ending injuries.  We'll see soon enough if Robinson can show he can help hold down the fort until their starters get back on the field.