Note: The NFL Draft begins April 29 and the Green Bay Packers have the 29th pick in the first round. Between now and then, I’ll examine 29 players — one per day — the Packers could select with that pick.
Today, we look at Miami outside linebacker Jaelan Phillips.
JAELAN PHILLIPS, OLB, MIAMI
THE SKINNY
Phillips began his career at UCLA, where things did not go well during his two seasons with the Bruins.
Phillips played in just 11 games over two seasons. He was also hit by a car and suffered a wrist injury, and struggled with concussions. After the 2018 season, UCLA announced that Phillips was retiring from football.
Phillips changed his mind, though, and enrolled at the University of Miami. After sitting out the 2019 season, Phillips had 15.5 tackles for loss, a team-high eight sacks and 45 total tackles in 2020.
Phillips was named second-team Associated Press All-American and second-team All-ACC, then declared early for the NFL Draft.
MEASURABLES
Height: 6-5 ½”
Weight: 260
Bench press: 21 reps of 225
40-yard dash: 4.56
Arms: 33 1/4”
Hands: 9 3/4”
Broad jump: 10-5”
Vertical jump: 36”
SCOUTING REPORT
Phillips has the size, length, power and athleticism to cause fits for opposing offenses. He’s a playmaker against the run and pass and has the versatility to line up all over the field.
Phillips has experience playing with his hand in the ground, but also projects well to a stand-up role. Phillips plays with great effort, has a terrific closing burst and enough length to set the edge.
On the flip side, Phillips has missed time due to ankle and wrist injuries and concussions. Phillips also needs work on his pad level and he must develop more core strength.
PACKERS’ PREDICAMENT
The Packers certainly don’t need an outside linebacker. Za’Darius Smith, Preston Smith and Rashan Gary are all among Green Bay’s best 20 players.
But both Smiths have large salary cap hits coming in future years, and if the Packers elected to move on from either player, Phillips could step right in.
If Phillips was the Packers’ highest-ranked player when they’re on the clock, they could go in that direction and solidify the outside linebacker position for years to come.
THEY SAID IT
Phillips said: “The proof is in the pudding. My play on the field, that I didn’t miss a snap, a game or a workout…I’m a guy that does all the right things. I do all the extra things.”
ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper on Phillips: “Phillips might be the best pure pass-rusher in this class, but he needs to improve his all-around game. He also has some durability concerns — he had multiple concussions at UCLA before he transferred to Miami — which means his medical checks with teams are extremely important.”
NFL Network’s Bucky Brooks on Phillips: “You talk about guys with stock rising, how about Jaelan Phillips? Jaelan Phillips from Miami being an absolute monster coming off the edge. We saw the production this year for Miami, but then you go to the pro day... 260 pounds, 36-inch vertical, 4.56 40-time. When you add that with the hand skills, you love him.”
PREVIOUS PLAYERS SPOTLIGHTED
• Alabama defensive lineman Christian Barmore
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• LSU wide receiver Terrace Marshall
• Oklahoma State offensive lineman Teven Jenkins
• Georgia cornerback Tyson Campbell
• Washington defensive lineman Levi Onwuzurike
• South Carolina wide receiver Jaycee Horn
• Oklahoma offensive lineman Creed Humphrey
• Northwestern cornerback Greg Newsome II
• Minnesota wide receiver Rashod Bateman
• Michigan offensive lineman Jalen Mayfield
• Missouri linebacker Nick Bolton
• Virginia Tech cornerback Caleb Farley
• Texas offensive lineman Samuel Cosmi
• Tulsa linebacker Zaven Collins
• Florida wide receiver Kadarius Toney
• Kentucky linebacker Jamin Davis
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Miami’s Jaelan Phillips Would Give The Packers A ‘Fab Four’ At Outside Linebacker - Forbes
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