With the 18th pick in the 2021 NFL draft, the Miami Dolphins select Jaelan Phillips, EDGE, Miami.
Analysis: If teams are satisfied from a medical perspective, Phillips is an easy selection. The talent and potential is there for Phillips to be a dominant player off the edge at the NFL level, and he also offers discipline and awareness against the run, making him a complete package. His ability to dominate on the inside with his quickness and array of pass-rushing moves makes him an asset on every down in the league.
Grade: A. The Dolphins needed two things out of the first round: A speed receiver for their timing-and-rhythm passing game, and help at the edge. If Phillips is past the concussion issues that caused him to quit football when he was at UCLA, he’s the best edge defender in this class, and the Dolphins did outstanding work with their two similarly-named guys — Jaylen Waddle and Jaelan Phillips.