Jaelan Phillips Draft Prospect Profile and Scouting Report

Miami Edge Rusher Jaelan Phillips is profiled in advance of the 2021 NFL Draft

Name: Jaelan Phillips

School: Miami

Year: rJr

Position: Edge

Measurements: 6’5, 265 lbs

 

STATS:

 

 

General Info:

Jaelan Phillips was a 5 star recruit coming out of Redlands East Valley High School in California. 247 Sports ranked him as the #1 recruit in the nation in the 2017 class. He was the 247 Sports Composite National Player of the Year and  a 1st team Parade All American and All USA First Team selection by USA Today. He enrolled at UCLA, where he registered 7 tfls and 3.5 sacks as a true freshman in 6 games before a concussion and ankle injuries ended his season. In his sophomore season, he sustained another concussion that ended his season after 4 games. After briefly retiring from football, he transferred to Miami. He used his redshirt 2019 season to bulk up, going from 245 pounds to 265. Praised by his coaches for his work ethic and leadership, Phillips started all 10 games for Miami in 2020 and garnered 1st Team All American status from the AFCA and 2nd team from the FWAA and the associated press.

 

Position Skills:

Phillips has a lightning quick first step and has athleticism seldom seen from men his size. He has total scheme versatility, playing with his hand in the dirt and from a 2 point stance. He also has experience playing in space on the edge.

Phillips has great length in which he utilizes very well while rushing the passer. He has very active hands that he uses very well while executing club and swim moves. He has great flexibility that he couples with his explosiveness to routinely challenge offensive tackles to the outside. He also uses his strength well to club a defender and gain inside leverage.

Along with being a great pass rusher, Phillips also excels against the run. He is strong enough to hold his ground and not get washed out. He also uses his athleticism very well to defend read type of runs, showing an above average ability to start and stop quickly.

Phillips hasn’t demonstrated too many weaknesses in his game. He can sometimes play a little high and could work on his counter pass rushing moves, but the rest of his game is solid. The main questions he has will be dealing with his injury and concussion history. He was also ejected from the Florida State game this past season for kicking a stray helmet after a play.

 

Fit with the Packers:

Phillips is a great fit for Green Bay. He has shown the ability to hold the edge and be very disruptive in both the run game and versus the pass. He also has a history of rushing the passer from the interior, something Green Bay has liked to do with an edge defender to get more pass rushers on the field. He does have a bit of an injury history, but it should also be noted that he didn’t miss any time this past season. While there is a chance he is available at pick #29, chances are that will become increasingly slim after he works out at Miami’s pro day and displays the athleticism that made him such a coveted college recruit.

 

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Comments (5)

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PF4L's picture

February 25, 2021 at 09:18 am

Here's the wrinkle....
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How many resources are the Packers going to spend on edge rusher's in a period of 23 months
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We currently have 2 signed edge rushers to contracts over 100 million. Then... 42 days later after these cats were signed, Gute thought it a great idea to draft a project edge rusher with the 12th overall pick.
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Maybe i'm wrong but isn't the 12th best player in the NFL draft supposed to be a starter?
Maybe....in his 3rd season?
Stay tuned
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We have one good corner.....one. We have another corner who has never graded out higher than 62.5 in 4 years. And....he's a starter!!
PFF graded Alexander as the #1 corner in the league, they graded King as the 99th cornerback.
People....That's a bench player...at best
Isn't cornerback more of a need than using our 1st round pick on another (4th) edge rusher?
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Hell...maybe with the 2nd round pick we can trade our 3rd round pick and move up in the 2nd round. and draft another QB project.

Sound about right?

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stockholder's picture

February 25, 2021 at 01:14 pm

I don't see the Fit. To be honest; were losing to many guys. Either by Cap or FA. ( @29. The Best Fit is to trade Down.) I think it's time to show guys that can replace the All-pros leaving. And not try to stock pile a position.

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Duneslick's picture

February 25, 2021 at 05:33 pm

Gute may be looking for another qb project in the first rd in case Love doesn't work out. They could trade up in the 2nd to get a punter or maybe a long snapper. Nothing will surprise me any more

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PF4L's picture

February 25, 2021 at 07:45 pm

Here is one more thing....
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If the Packers drafted Jaelan Phillips in the first round. Come September, where will we find him? Starting?
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No, we'd have another 1st round pick riding the bench. Two of them are still there, you want to make it three?
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Could you imagine...three 1st round picks sitting on the bench in Gutes first 4 drafts?
Knowing Mark Murphy...that would probably mean....a contract extension?

.

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MarkinMadison's picture

February 25, 2021 at 08:30 pm

I have to wonder, with that concussion history, and with only one season of quality production if he is really going to be viewed as a first round pick.

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