Jaelan Phillips reveals NFL legends he’s been studying to prepare for career with Miami Dolphins

Miami Dolphins rookie pass rusher Jaelan Phillips revealed which NFL legends he’s been studying to prepare for life in the league.

Phillips, who was the No. 18 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, has studied some players before his time as well as players such as J.J. and T.J. Watt and Nick and Joey Bosa that are currently in the league.

“Growing up, I used to watch Shawne Merriman,” he said. “I watched some tape of Lawrence Taylor. Those are some older guys and then just more recently guys like the Bosa brothers, the Watt brothers, Chandler Jones are guys I really kind of model my game after.”

The Dolphins have high hopes for Phillips after they traded away pass rusher Shaq Lawson this offseason.

In his last collegiate season at the University of Miami Florida, Phillips totaled 45 tackles and eight sacks. Of his 45 tackles, 15.5 were recorded for loss of yardage.

Miami already has an impressive secondary led by Byron Jones and Xavien Howard, but Phillips fills a need the Dolphins had in their front seven.

If Phillips has anywhere near the success of the players he’s studied, then he should have a successful career in Miami.