Dolphins Training Camp Preview: LB Jaelan Phillips
![Oct 29, 2023; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins linebacker Jaelan Phillips (15) reaches for New England Patriots running back Ezekiel Elliott (15) during the second half at Hard Rock Stadium. Oct 29, 2023; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins linebacker Jaelan Phillips (15) reaches for New England Patriots running back Ezekiel Elliott (15) during the second half at Hard Rock Stadium.](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_4000,h_2250,x_0,y_147/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/all_dolphins/01j2krm55ebd23x9ydwj.jpg)
The Miami Dolphins had a banner year in the pass-rushing department, and in the first half of last season, linebacker Jaelan Phillips had a lot to do with it. Although his season was cut short due to an Achilles injury suffered in Week 12 against the New York Jets, Phillips was well on his way to having his best season as a pro.
Drafted in 2021 as the Dolphins’ second first-round selection of that year, Waddle, the Miami product by way of UCLA made an immediate impact. His 8.5 sacks broke the Dolphins rookie record of 8.0 set in 1969 by Bill Stanfill.
Furthermore, Phillips became just the third Dolphins rookie to record three sacks in a single game, joining A.J. Duhe (1977) and Marco Coleman (1992).
Over his three seasons and 42 games, Phillips has recorded 146 tackles 24 for loss, 52 quarterback hits, and 22 sacks.
- Height: 6-5
- Weight: 263 lbs.
- Exp.: 4 Years
- School: Miami
- How Acquired: Drafted in the 1st round (18th overall) of the 2021 NFL Draft
2023 In Review
In the Dolphins’ season opener against the Chargers in Los Angeles, Phillips combined with Justin Bethel, each credited with a 0.5 sack in walk-off fashion. The play sealing the Week One theme of the summer will be the progress of Phillips, as well as his pass-rushing bookend, Bradley Chubb.
Chubb’s season came to a premature end after having a fantastic season with 11 sacks and a league-leading six forced fumbles. He was placed on injured reserve following a Week 17 Baltimore Ravens loss.
The injuries to Phillips and Chubb likely correlate to Miami’s 2024 first-round draft pick, linebacker Chop Robinson. In addition to selecting the Penn State product with the 21st overall pick, Miami double-downed in the department and added edge rusher Mohamed Kamara from Colorado State in the fifth round.
Also, veteran edges Andrew Van Ginkel and Emmanuel Ogbah are no longer in Miami, and the interior defensive tackle Christian Wilkins is in Las Vegas with the Raiders.
The Dolphins have a lot of sacks to make up for with losses to free agency, as well as assuming Phillips and Chubb aren’t a 100 percent lock to begin the season.
The Dolphins also added veterans Shaq Barrett as well as Calais Campbell to bolster the pass-rushing presence. Phillips and his return will be a big story, as well as his future with the Dolphins, as he is on the list for a potential contract extension as well as other young, core players on this roster.
PREVIOUSLY IN THIS SERIES
-- Dolphins Training Camp Preview: CB Nik Needham
-- Dolphins Training Camp Preview: CB Siran Neal
-- Dolphins Training Camp Preview: RB Raheem Mostert
-- Dolphins Training Camp Preview: RB De'Von Achane
-- Dolphins Training Camp Preview: RB Salvon Ahmed
-- Dolphins Training Camp Preview: T Terron Armstead
-- Dolphins Training Camp Preview: LB Shaquil Barrett
-- Dolphins Training Camp Preview: WR Odell Beckham Jr.
-- Dolphins Training Camp Preview: WR Braxton Berrios
-- Dolphins Training Camp Preview: CB Ethan Bonner
-- Dolphins Training Camp Preview: OL Aaron Brewer
-- Dolphins Training Camp Preview: RB Chris Brooks
-- Dolphins Training Camp Preview: LB Jordyn Brooks
-- Dolphins Training Camp Preview: DB Elijah Campbell
-- Dolphins Training Camp Preview: OLB Bradley Chubb
-- Dolphins Training Camp Preview: TE Tanner Conner
-- Dolphins Training Camp Preview: OL Lester Cotton
-- Dolphins Training Camp Preview: WR River Cracraft
-- Dolphins Training Camp Preview: OL Jack Driscoll
-- Dolphins Training Camp Preview: OL Liam Eichenberg
-- Dolphins Training Camp Preview: WR Erik Ezukanma
-- Dolphins Training Camp Preview: TE Jody Fortson
-- Dolphins Training Camp Preview: CB Kendall Fuller
-- Dolphins Training Camp Preview: DT Neville Gallimore
-- Dolphins Training Camp Preview: DT Da'Shawn Hand
-- Dolphins Training Camp Preview: DT Jonathan Harris
-- Dolphins Training Camp Preview: TE Julian Hill
-- Dolphins Training Camp Preview: S Jevon Holland
-- Dolphins Training Camp Preview: FB Alec Ingold
-- Dolphins Training Camp Preview: T Austin Jackson
-- Dolphins Training Camp Preview: DT Benito Jones
-- Dolphins Training Camp Preview: OL Robert Jones
-- Dolphins Training Camp Preview: CB Kader Kohou