Raiders Opponent Breakout Player: Jaelan Phillips
The Las Vegas Raiders are headed to Hard Rock Stadium in Miami to face the Miami Dolphins this Sunday, a test of their recent winning ways.
The Raiders have won their last two games since Interim Coach Antonio Pierce took over, but now they will face maybe the best team they will play all season: the Dolphins.
While the Dolphins have been beating teams with their explosive offense, they also have been an excellent defensive team. Defensive Coordinator Vic Fangio has done a great job with that unit in his first season with the team.
One player who has been impactful on is defensive end Jaelan Phillips. For a player who had to medically retire in college after sustaining several concussions, Phillips has had an excellent start to his career.
The Dolphins selected Phillips with the No. 18 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft out of Miami, where he transferred to from UCLA. The third-year edge rusher has become one of the best young defenders in the league.
Miami Dolphins edge rusher Jaelan Phillips has emerged as one of the best young pass rushers in the league.
Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Phillips has immediately impacted the Dolphins, posting 103 tackles, 17 tackles for losses, 41 quarterback hits and 15.5 sacks through his first two seasons. Phillips has posted 33 total tackles this season, two for losses, six quarterback hits, and three and a half sacks.
At 6-foot-5 and 263 pounds, Phillips has created 20 total pressures in six games this season, according to Pro Football Focus. He has the size to be a power rusher and outmaneuver offensive linemen, but he also has the incredible speed and athleticism to get around his match-up off the edge.
Phillips has dealt with injuries this season, including a back and oblique problems. He has missed a few games because of these injuries, but returned for the Dolphins’ last two games.
The Dolphins took a chance on Phillips in the draft with all the questions surrounding his medical background, and it paid off. His concussions have not hindered his career thus far, and Miami has a potential franchise cornerstone off the edge because of it.
The Raiders hope to have left tackle Kolton Miller back this week to face Phillips, as the New York Jets were able to get lots of pressure on rookie quarterback Aidan O’Connell.
Phillips will try to do the same if the Raiders cannot find ways to slow him down.
The Silver and Black will head out on the road to South Beach to take on the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, Nov. 19, at 1 p.m. EST/10 a.m. PST.
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