Tag: Jaelan Phillips

Morning mock draft: PFF the latest to send Bills Jaelan Phillips

Buffalo Bills select DE Jaelan Phillips in Pro Football Focus 2021 NFL Draft mock.

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Jaelan Phillips to the Bills is a train that’s starting to gain some speed recently. Pro Football Focus added to it.

The football analytics outlet released their latest mock draft on Monday and in it, the University of Miami pass rusher is their pick for the Bills in Round 1 of the 2021 NFL Draft mock.

Phillips was recently the pick for the Bills by ESPN NFL Draft guru Todd McShay as well. Where there’s smoke, there’s fire… maybe?

All things considered, it’s time to start learning more about him and let’s get started right here… PFF’s breakdown on the pick:

There is a real argument to be made that Phillips should be the top edge defender in this class. Like all of the players competing for that title, Phillips isn’t the Nick Bosa– or Chase Young-level prospect who comes with almost no red flags. The cause for concern with Phillips is that he medically retired from football before the 2019 season due to a history of concussions.

The former No. 1 overall recruit coming out of high school opted to return to the field with Miami in 2020 and showcased his talent in that return. Phillips came away from last season with PFF grades of 83.0 or higher as a run defender and pass-rusher. This would be a strong addition for Buffalo to add some more youth behind what is currently an older edge rusher rotation with Jerry Hughes and Mario Addison penciled in as starters.

PFF hits the nail on the head for the long term. Hughes has been an ageless wonder in Buffalo, but eventually, he’ll need replacing.

But in the short term, there’s a spot for Phillips, too. He’d slide right into Trent Murphy’s rotational spot along Sean McDermott’s defensive line.

McDermott’s scheme has long called for a big rotation on the D-line, so while Phillips’ long term development with AJ Epenesa will be key, the duo could see a good chance to make some noise out of the gate without Murphy there, who remains a free agent.

In 2020, Phillips, who transferred from UCLA to Miami, had a breakout year. In 10 games, he had a career-high eight sacks and 15.5 tackles for loss.

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Vikings address defensive line in Daniel Jeremiah’s third mock draft

The Vikings need some help opposite of Danielle Hunter.

The Vikings are optimistic that Danielle Hunter will be back in 2021 after missing the entire 2020 season with a neck injury.

That’s great news for Minnesota’s pass rush but they still need some help opposite of Hunter.

In his third mock draft over at NFL.com, Daniel Jeremiah has the Vikings addressing that, drafting Miami defensive end Jaelan Phillips with the 14th overall pick.

Here’s what Jeremiah wrote about the pick:

Phillips is the most talented edge rusher in the draft. If not for some durability concerns, he would go higher than this pick.

It seems pretty obvious that the Vikings should address the offensive or defensive line in the first round of the draft. Of course, someone could fall at another position which could make that seem less obvious.

For those wondering, five quarterbacks were selected in the first round of Jeremiah’s mock draft. All were drafted before the Vikings pick at 14th.

Colts’ mock draft roundup: April 5

Who are the experts mocking to the Colts?

We are officially in draft month as the 2021 NFL draft is just weeks away, and the Indianapolis Colts are hard tat work finalizing their big board before the biggest event of the offseason.

As that time comes around, analysts across the industry will be taking a crack at predicting each team’s pick in the first round. It’s a tough job but one that is necessary and even fun at times when starting a conversation.

With just a few weeks until the draft, here’s a look at some of the prominent selections for the Colts in mock drafts around the industry:

Falcons 2021 scouting report: EDGE Jaelan Phillips

The Atlanta Falcons haven’t had a pass rush since John Abraham retired, and adding Jaelan Phillips would help bring one back.

The Falcons haven’t had a pass rush since John Abraham retired, and adding Jaelan Phillips would help bring one back. Phillips could play as a 3-4 outside linebacker and sub-package pass rusher all over the formation to give different attack angles to the quarterback. The former Miami and UCLA pass-rushing specialist has all the tools to make an impact in the NFL.

 

Analytics driven 2021 mock draft offers new combination for Dolphins

Analytics driven 2021 mock draft offers new combination for Dolphins

If four weeks time, the 2021 NFL Draft will have come and gone. And when the dust settles, the Miami Dolphins will have a new collection of talents that be ready to help push the team to new heights in 2021 and beyond. But the details of who the Dolphins should pick isn’t a riddle that seems to have a consensus. Should the Dolphins draft a familiar face for Tua Tagovailoa? Or do solutions from elsewhere across the landscape offer the Dolphins a greater chance of successes for both their young quarterback and the team in general?

According to the latest mock draft, which comes from NFL.com’s Cynthia Frelund, perhaps avoiding Alabama Crimson Tide prospects is the way to go. Frelund’s mock, which is rooted in analytics and seeks to maximize wins in 2021, has the Dolphins landing one prospect on each side of the ball with their two first-round picks.

No. 6 overall — TE Kyle Pitts, Florida Gators

Pitts is generally considered to be the best “non-quarterback” in the 2021 NFL Draft, so for the Dolphins to go best player available at No. 6 would be a major win for the Dolphins. The selection of Pitts is boosted by Miami’s trade down strategy, which is where Frelund heaped her praise for how the Dolphins approached the situation.

“A good strategy note based on the Fins’ recent trades: selecting just three slots lower generates a huge return. Sure, it may tip their hand that quarterback is not a focus in this draft, but it provides a ton of flexibility,” wrote Frelund.

“Just to add context, let’s do the trade-chart math: If you use the Jimmy Johnson chart, which is basically the gold standard, the third overall pick is worth 2,200 points, while the sixth is 1,600. So the difference is 600. Guess which pick is valued at 600? Pick 31 (second-to-last in Round 1). Mr. Grier, if you’re reading this (and I hope you are, because that would be really cool), well done.”

No. 18 overall — DE Jaelan Phillips, Miami Hurricanes

The decision to draft Phillips is mainly rooted in what Frelund’s figures will help the Dolphins the most. In the majority of mock drafts, the Dolphins are pegged RB Najee Harris at No. 18 overall — but interestingly enough Frelund’s mock doesn’t put any running backs in the 1st-round at all. The value of a pass rusher, especially one as talented as Phillips, is hard to find complaints about at No. 18 overall.

ESPN’s Todd McShay 2-round mock sends Buffalo Bills D-line steal

Buffalo Bills select DT Levi Onwuzurike, DE Jaelan Phillips in ESPN NFL Draft Todd McShay 2021 mock draft.

ESPN NFL Draft guru Todd McShay either put his Brandon Beane hat on before making his selections for the Buffalo Bills in his fourth mock draft this offseason, or he was feeling generous.

Ahead of the 2021 NFL Draft and with his latest predictions, the Bills don’t play any games in this one. Previously, McShay’s latest mock predicted a running back being selected by Buffalo (Travis Etienne). This time it’s all defensive line in both Rounds 1 & 2.

First up with the No. 30 overall pick, Buffalo takes a pass rusher:

Jaelan Phillips, DE, Miami

The top two running backs are off the board, and it’s a little early for Javonte Williams (North Carolina). So why not inject some life into a middle-of-the-road pass rush instead — especially with Jerry Hughes turning 33 before the season. Phillips had 8.0 sacks and 15.5 tackles for loss in 2020.

In the second round is when McShay gets pretty “Beane like.” The Bills don’t have any huge needs on their roster at all entering the draft, but with their next pick, McShay goes “best player available” and selected a defensive tackle. That’s a phrase we’ve heard a lot from Beane in recent years:

Levi Onwuzurike, DT, Washington

The Bills finally halt Onwuzurike’s slide down the board. He is my No. 35 prospect, but there aren’t many teams searching for a defensive tackle right now. And while Buffalo might have preferred a running back, tight end or offensive tackle, Onwuzurike is sudden and creates havoc. He could slide in next to Ed Oliver.

Phillips is more of the need pick by comparison to Onwuzurike… but the Bills aren’t in any particular desperation mode to address the defensive end spot. Buffalo failed to sign JJ Watt earlier this offseason, but both Jerry Hughes and Mario Addison will be back in 2021 and last season they were an average starting duo.

But there’s a big rotation run along the Bills’ defensive line, so Hughes, Addison, AJ Epenesa and potentially Phillips could be an improvement for both the short and long term. In 2020, Phillips, who transferred from UCLA to Miami, had a breakout year. In 10 games, he had a career-high eight sacks and 15.5 tackles for loss.

Next in Onwuzurike, the Bills really don’t have much need for addressing such an area. So what would Beane do? Take the best talent he sees.

Star Lotulelei will return to the team after opting out last season. He’s going to start next to Oliver.

However, without Lotulelei last year, it was obvious the Bills need some depth in regard to someone who could play that one-tech spot and take up space. Harrison Phillips finally turned it around later in the season, but early on, the struggles showed.

Adding two prospects to the defensive line, combined with youthful prospects like Oliver and Epenesa, could shore up things in the defensive trenches for Sean McDermott’s defense for years to come.

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Saints send DL coach to Miami, RB’s coach to North Carolina pro day

New Orleans Saints position coaches were sent to scout 2021 NFL draft prospects like UNC RB Javonte Williams and Miami DE Jaelan Phillips.

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The pro day circuit for 2021 NFL draft prospects is in full swing, with coaches and scouts from around the country visiting college campuses to get a close look at this year’s upcoming rookie class. That’s true of the New Orleans Saints, too; college scouting director Jeff Ireland was recently seen at Notre Dame, while head coach Sean Payton and general manager Mickey Loomis were in Alabama.

But it’s not just the big names living on the road this time of year. Position coaches and regional scouts are out and about, too. CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones reported that Saints running backs coach Joel Thomas was in North Carolina, where prospects Javonte Williams and Michael Carter tore up the turf. Williams measured respectable explosion and agility times, though his long speed in the 40 yard dash was unremarkable. Carter didn’t move the needle until he hit the agility drills, where he really shined. Either of them could be in play in the second or third rounds.

Meanwhile, the Athletic’s Manny Navarro reported that New Orleans defensive line coach Ryan Nielsen was sent to Miami’s pro day to survey a crowded field including Jaelan Phillips, Gregory Rousseau, Quincy Roche, and 2019 prospect Chigozie Nnoruka (who wasn’t drafted after his pro day was canceled in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic).

Phillips was maybe the best Hurricanes prospect for Nielsen to scout, measuring as one of the best athletes at the position since 1987. Phillips started his college career at UCLA, where he was injured in a car crash and later suffered a concussion, temporarily hanging up his cleats before transferring cross-country to Miami. He bagged 9 sacks, 4 hits, and 29 hurries (plus 3 pass deflections) on just 286 pass-rush snaps per Pro Football Focus last year. He’s a first-round prospect if his medicals check out.

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Cardinals GM Steve Keim visits Miami pro day in person

He gets an in-person look at pass-rushing prospects Gregory Rousseau and Jaelan Phillips and tight end Brevin Jordan.

The Arizona Cardinals continue to prepare for the NFL draft at the end of April and that means watching pro days. Cardinals general manager Steve Keim was at present himself for a recent pro day, presumably to get an in-person look at a couple of potential first-round pass rushers.

According to NFL Network’s Andrew Groover, Keim was one of a few general managers and head coaches who were expected to be at the pro day for the Miami Hurricanes.

Miami has two notable pass rushers in Jaelan Phillips and Gregory Rousseau who could both be selected in the first round of the draft.

Both players have been mocked to the Cardinals with the 16th overall picks at some point.

Rousseau did not play in 2020 but had 15.5 sacks in 2019. Phillips played one season for Miami after transferring from UCLA. He had eight sacks and 15.5 tackles for loss in eight games last season.

Another notable player for Miami who could draw interest from the Cardinals is tight end Brevin Jordan. Jordan’s production as a pass catcher increased every season. He had 38 receptions for 576 yards and seven touchdowns in eight games.

Keim does not attend all pro days, but Miami’s was big enough for him to o see in person. With that in mind, Phillips and Rousseau are names to know when it comes to the Cardinals’ first-round pick.

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Jaelan Phillips’ talent demands Cowboys don’t ignore edge needs in draft

There is no secret about the issues on the defensive side of the ball for the Dallas Cowboys and at this point in the draft process

There is no secret about the Dallas Cowboys issues on the defensive side of the ball. At this point in draft season, there has been a steady cycle of names most analysts and casual fans alike feel could correct some of those. The Cowboys 10th pick is usually mocked with Patrick Surtain (Alabama), Caleb Farley (Virginia Tech), Rashawn Slater (Northwestern) and more recently Kyle Pitts (Florida) who is one of the five best players in this draft.

Most of the attention has been paid to troubled areas of cornerback, safety and defensive tackle. One position normally in play, but perpetually left out this year, is pass rusher.  That is dually because there’s a lack of blue chip players at the position and many feel the Cowboys have a firm solution in place for 2021 in starting DeMarcus Lawrence and Randy Gregory, and with the signing of Tarell Basham there are now three viable reserve alternatives with Dorance Armstrong and Bradlee Anae. Maybe that should be reconsidered.

Acquiring a edge player who can take some of the pressure off of Lawrence will go along way toward helping the success of this defense. In addition, Gregory and Armstrong are free agents following 2021. Anae was  drafted by a different DC and didn’t get in the rotation.

There are some high-upside edge players like Azzez Ojulari (Georgia) , Kwitty Paye (Michigan) or Jason Oweh (Penn St.), but there isn’t a Chase Young or a Joey Bosa in this class.

Jaelan Phillips of Miami could be a potential target the Cowboys invest a premium pick in satisfying their needs.

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Colts select DE Jaelan Phillips in latest mock draft from The Athletic

Colts add to the edge in The Athletic mock draft.

In the latest beat writer mock draft from The Athletic, the Indianapolis Colts selected edge rusher Jaelan Phillips with the No. 21 overall pick in the draft.

Here’s what Zak Keefer, who made the pick, had to say about adding Phillips:

21. Indianapolis Colts: Jaelan Phillips, Edge, Miami

An important factor in the Colts’ thinking while they weighed adding Carson Wentz was whether they’d be able to keep their early-round draft picks this spring. They were able to do that — giving up just a third-rounder this year, then a conditional second-rounder next year — and they plan on using those resources to attack two glaring needs: pass rush and left tackle. With Darrisaw off the board, the Colts have to shift to the defensive side of the ball, where they have two young defensive ends (Kemoko Turay and Ben Banogu) who’ve yet to solidify a starting spot. In Phillips, GM Chris Ballard tries to add punch to a position that is vital in his defense’s 4-3 scheme. — Zak Keefer

Adding to the edge is a top priority for the Colts in the draft. They decided against doing so in free agency and while they could add a veteran piece, it is most likely they ae heading into the draft with a plan to add an early edge rusher.

At No. 21, the Colts are likely to have their options. Phillips is among them and his skill set and production warrants first-round consideration. There is a concern with concussions, an issue that has already forced Phillips to retire once before. Any team drafting him assumes the risk of a short career.

But if Phillips is healthy, he’s a strong asset to make an impact right away and potentially aid a pass rush that is full of young potential.

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