Eagles Swing Trade for Dolphins Edge Defender Jaelan Phillips, Paying Price in Process
The Philadelphia Eagles have made a move to bolster their pass rush by trading away a third-round pick in exchange for edge defender Jaelan Phillips from the Miami Dolphins. The deal is seen as significant, given the value of a third-round pick and the injuries that have plagued Phillips' career.
Phillips was a highly touted prospect coming out of high school, but his path to the NFL has been marked by multiple setbacks. He initially struggled in college, suffering injuries and even retiring for a time before transferring to Miami. Despite these challenges, he had a promising 2020 season and became a first-round pick in 2021.
However, Phillips' career has been defined by inconsistency due to injuries. In 2023, he was having a breakout season under Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio before tearing his Achilles tendon. The following year, he suffered another injury, this time an ACL, that ended his season after just four games.
The Eagles have taken on significant risk in acquiring Phillips, who is playing on his fifth-year option at $13.25 million. His career high of 8.5 sacks in 2021 and subsequent injuries raise questions about whether the price paid was worth it. The team's pass rush has struggled to generate pressure from the edge, and with Phillips joining a rotation that already includes Nolan Smith and Brandon Graham, it remains to be seen how this move will impact their overall defensive performance.
In terms of compensation, the Eagles will retain the more valuable third-round pick they originally acquired from the New York Jets. However, if Phillips signs with another team in free agency next offseason, he will likely count towards the 2027 compensatory pick formula. The Eagles would only gain a compensatory pick if they lose more players in free agency than they acquire, and Phillips' contract would need to be lucrative enough to qualify for the comp pick formula.
Overall, the trade is seen as a calculated risk by the Eagles, who hope that Phillips can overcome his injury history and contribute to their pass rush. The price paid, however, has raised questions about whether the reward was worth it.
The Philadelphia Eagles have made a move to bolster their pass rush by trading away a third-round pick in exchange for edge defender Jaelan Phillips from the Miami Dolphins. The deal is seen as significant, given the value of a third-round pick and the injuries that have plagued Phillips' career.
Phillips was a highly touted prospect coming out of high school, but his path to the NFL has been marked by multiple setbacks. He initially struggled in college, suffering injuries and even retiring for a time before transferring to Miami. Despite these challenges, he had a promising 2020 season and became a first-round pick in 2021.
However, Phillips' career has been defined by inconsistency due to injuries. In 2023, he was having a breakout season under Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio before tearing his Achilles tendon. The following year, he suffered another injury, this time an ACL, that ended his season after just four games.
The Eagles have taken on significant risk in acquiring Phillips, who is playing on his fifth-year option at $13.25 million. His career high of 8.5 sacks in 2021 and subsequent injuries raise questions about whether the price paid was worth it. The team's pass rush has struggled to generate pressure from the edge, and with Phillips joining a rotation that already includes Nolan Smith and Brandon Graham, it remains to be seen how this move will impact their overall defensive performance.
In terms of compensation, the Eagles will retain the more valuable third-round pick they originally acquired from the New York Jets. However, if Phillips signs with another team in free agency next offseason, he will likely count towards the 2027 compensatory pick formula. The Eagles would only gain a compensatory pick if they lose more players in free agency than they acquire, and Phillips' contract would need to be lucrative enough to qualify for the comp pick formula.
Overall, the trade is seen as a calculated risk by the Eagles, who hope that Phillips can overcome his injury history and contribute to their pass rush. The price paid, however, has raised questions about whether the reward was worth it.