Chop Robinson, the Miami Dolphins’ first-round choice, freely acknowledged that his desire was to wear his college number, 44, in the NFL. The problem is that number belonged to Dolphins long snapper Blake Ferguson, but the fifth-year veteran graciously lent – or sold – it to the Penn State standout, who changed his jersey number to No. 48. “I heard from Chop very early Friday morning as he was making his way to Miami Gardens and he was just expressing to me how important the No. 44 was to him and asked if I’d be willing to consider taking a different number,” Ferguson said in a video that went viral on social media. “I discovered that the jersey number I wore for my final two years of college, in which I won a national championship, was still available. Jersey Number 48. So that’s the shirt I’ll be wearing going forward, and I’m really excited about it.” At this moment, it is unclear whether Ferguson was compensated for the jersey number exchange, which is standard NFL practice. For example, new Dolphins linebacker Anthony Walker Jr. received a Rolex watch, a donation to his father’s high school football team, and all of his tailored suits paid for during the season in exchange for giving up the No. 4 jersey to Deshaun Watson when the Cleveland Browns signed the quarterback in the 2022 offseason. Robinson, the 21st overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft, is likely to sign a four-year contract worth $14.9 million, with a $7.7 million signing bonus. Ferguson, a 2020 sixth-round draft pick, received a three-year contract deal worth slightly less than $4.1 million late last season, which may keep him in Miami until 2026. Ferguson has also offered to switch every No. 44 jersey held by fans for his new No. 48 jersey. Robinson’s number selection implies that all seven Miami draftees now have a number.