This is the sixth and final piece in the UDFA: PICK 6 series, a look at Miami Dolphins undrafted free agents hoping to make the team. As rookies report to training camp, we look at cornerback Ethan Robinson, our top choice among UDFAs to make an impact this year.
In the fifth edition of PICK 6, wide receiver Andrew Armstrong checked in as the No. 2 player on ACR’s list for most-likely to succeed.
AN EASIER ROAD
To be clear, part of the reason Robinson made it as the top pick is the glaring and oft-discussed uncertainty at Miami’s cornerback position, particularly outside. Robinson, in our eyes, is the best of the incoming UDFA corners.
The Dolphins greatest need lies at either of its outside corner positions and its unclear how strong of a candidate Robinson is out there based on his testing scores. His play style is outside corner though, so it may not be completely out of the question.
For the reader — UCF’s B.J. Adams’ film was reviewed, as were all 16 original UDFA signees. We have draft notes on all 16 except for long snapper Kneeland Hibbett (Alabama) who was released two days after being signed when the Dolphins added long-time New England snapper Joe Cardona.
But no Miami 2025 rookie — including 5th round selection Jason Marshall of Florida — stood out on film in his coverage instincts and tackling ability more than Robinson.
Instinctively, what Robinson has is what former Dolphins corner Noah Igbinoghene desperately needed. Igbinoghene could run up and down the field with receivers all day. It was his inability to find the ball that was also his inability to find the field, except in emergencies.
A FEW QUESTION MARKS
Unlike wide receiver Armstrong in our #2 spot, it is pretty clear why Robinson wasn’t drafted. He will have to overcome what appear to be speed and quickness deficiencies relative to his position to make it in the NFL.
He does have great corner size at 6-0, 190, but his speed numbers were not good in the pre-draft process both in his 4.55 time in the 40-yard dash and his 10-yard split (1.63). Fortunately, his play speed is far from slow. He will just lack the recovery speed most teams look for.
Robinson’s 42-inch vertical jump at Minnesota’s Pro Day was two inches better than the NFL Combine-best by a cornerback in 2025 and just an inch shy of S Nick Emmanwori’s combine-best mark.
His explosion numbers overall were outstanding as he also had a 10-7 broad jump, which would have ranked 7th among corners and most importantly, these traits show up in his play.
“I think he’s fearless, tough and he’s got a lot of confidence. He plays the ball really well in the area. Plays the man through the ball really well, which I think — you can’t teach it, it’s more instinctual.” – Minnesota head coach P.J. Fleck
A PLAYER ON THE RISE
Our view is that Robinson is a player on the rise.
He played his first three years at Division I FCS-level Bucknell before transferring for his true senior season to the Big Ten and Minnesota. He did not have a redshirt year in college so he could have returned to Minnesota. He turns 21 two weeks into camp
It’s safe to say he probably didn’t get the training advantages at Bucknell he ended up getting at Minnesota, and far short of what he will be afforded in Miami Gardens. Given his age and collegiate history, there’s likely room for athletic growth in whatever form the Dolphins strength & conditioning staff thinks will best suit him as a pro.
In his lone season playing at the elite college level, Robinson shined.
He started all 13 games for the Gophers, posting 42 tackles (three for loss), with eight pass breakups and three interceptions. He also forced a fumble and recovered another playing on kick block teams that he returned for a score.
In short, he was unfazed by going from playing in front of around 1,400 fans a game at Bucknell to the 113,340 he played in front of at Michigan, and coincidentally made his biggest play of the season.
One would imagine he’s going to step into the Miami cornerback room and — rightfully so or not — be just as fearless.
DRAFT NOTES – ETHAN ROBINSON
Below are the notes taken while watching tape of Robinson last year:
– Seems to do a great job getting his eyes on the football in the pass game.
– Good at reading the QB.
– Physical. Likes being physical with receivers.
– Wide receiver hands.
– Seems to excel in zone-type situations and in open space in general despite seeming to like playing more press.
– Did a great job on a hard-fought interception vs. Michigan – spun off his coverage, retraced the football in flight, challenged and ultimately win vs tight end Colston Loveland (2025 10th overall, CHI).
– A little light for safety but could get a look based on his ball skills if they think he’s not nimble enough for corner.
– Primarily inside corner (zone/nickel/dime CB) imo though he has great length and physicality, so maybe outside.
– Doesn’t mind coming up and hitting.
– Came off his receiver and stuck his nose in on UNC’s Omarion Hampton going full blast in the secondary to stop a potential touchdown run. Ballsy at worst, fearless at best.
– Play speed is great. He’s comfortable playing football. Natural.
IN HIS OWN WORDS
In a video produced by Minnesota, introducing new players prior to the 2024 season, Robinson described his own play style:
“Real physical corner. Like to get in the press game and matchup with people man-to-man, bump-and-run and definitely go take the ball out of the air when it’s thrown.”
UPON FURTHER REVIEW
I went back and watched and read as much as I could on Robinson because it’s damn-near ludicrous to bet on a skill position player who ran like he did.
It’s the reason when I wrote for another Dolphins website arguing against common public opinion at the time that not only should the Dolphins not draft CB Will Johnson in the first round, I wasn’t sure any other team would based on his pre-draft forty time and the process that played out in his camp around it.
But the same traits that had people salivating over Johnson are the same ones I see in Robinson. It’s just Robinson didn’t do it in the Big Ten until his last year in college and at Minnesota, not in Ann Arbor. The spotlight doesn’t get big nearly as quick when you play for the Gophers as opposed to the Wolverines.
At ACR in our final bet of the preseason, feel that — barring Miami adding a number of proven corners prior to the season — Ethan Robinson will make the Dolphins’ 53 and possibly be a newcomer to watch.
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