One AFC executive had huge praise for Miami Dolphins edge rusher Jaelan Phillips, and he expects the former first-round pick to have a huge season for the Dolphins in 2023.
“Huge upside,” an AFC executive said. “He was raw coming in but a big athlete and he plays his ass off. Expecting huge year from him.”
It’s great to see that the executive notices Phillips work ethic and drive, as he clearly has put himself in position to be recognized as one of the league’s premier young pass rushers.
Phillips has been one of the Dolphins’ best pass rushers over the last two seasons, tallying 15.5 sacks. He started 15 of his 17 games in the 2022 campaign, but it appears that this executive thinks he can take his game to the next level in 2023.
The Dolphins’ pass rush should see a major bump in the 2023 season now that Bradley Chubb will be with the team for the full season. Chubb, who was acquired at the trade deadline in the 2022 season, should make life easier for Phillips with the attention he’ll command from opposing offenses.
Since his time at the University of Miami, Phillips has been able to make a huge impact off the edge. In his final collegiate season with the Hurricanes, Phillips totaled 45 tackles and eight sacks. Of his 45 tackles, 15.5 were recorded for a loss of yardage.
The Dolphins certainly would love to see the former first-round pick reach a new gear in the 2023 season as they look to make it back to the playoffs for the second consecutive season under head coach Mike McDaniel.
Miami improved its defense a lot this offseason by adding star cornerback Jalen Ramsey in a trade and drafting cornerback Cam Smith in the 2023 NFL Draft.
If the team has improved coverage on the outside in the secondary, Phillips and Chubb should have more time to apply pressure on opposing quarterbacks.
The Dolphins made the playoffs in the 2022 season despite several injuries at the quarterback position. The team lost in the first round, but it could make a much deeper run in 2023 if key players on both sides of the ball stay healthy.
