Dolphins' Jaelan Phillips poised to break out as NFL superstar
HOUSTON — The New York Post featured Jaelan Phillips on the back page of the newspaper, otherwise known as the front page of the sports section, on Thursday.
There was Jaelan, edge-rushing through a subway turnstile, which was to represent the porous and alarmingly-concerning Jets offensive line.
They're worried, fearful, and scared, New Yawkas are.
And for good reason.
"Blocking him," Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel quipped Thursday, when asked what would be most challenging if Jaelan were for some reason not donning aqua and orange.
Phillips is going to have a breakout season in 2023.
He's been virtually unblockable in joint practices with the Falcons and Texans and he's going to pile up tackles for loss and he's going to pile up sacks.
Phillips is on the verge of NFL stardom, or perhaps even superstardom, and anybody and everybody can see it.
Jaelan Phillips is about to become a household name in this country.
"That’s not the goal," Phillips said after practice. "I’m not chasing stardom and fandom and stuff like that. I have a long, long way to go to be on that level of consistency and greatness. But I think I’m trying to do it."
The players mentioned to Phillips as household pass-rusher names were J.J. Watt, DeMarcus Ware and Terrell Suggs.
"I mean, to me, it doesn’t even sound real to think of myself being in a position like that," he said. "I’m just Jaelan Phillips."
Add humble to the list of admirable Phillips traits.
Jaelan Phillips makes back page of the @nypostsports as @nyjets media (and coaches?) panic about “turnstile” offensive line https://t.co/fhK5mYqRx6
— Joe Schad (@schadjoe) August 17, 2023
He's an athletic specimen capable of speed and power and power and speed who somehow also brings relentlessness and tenaciousness from the first through the fourth quarters.
And in practice. And in preseason games. And in joint practices.
"He’s always been an impactful player and he has a special between whistle-to-whistle motor, that with his athleticism, he’s been able to make some plays on NFL game days and really be a big part of this team,' McDaniel said. "I think he has taken a step this year in being what he wants to be."
Phillips has improved against the run on an almost week-to-week basis.
Phillips can even cover, when needed.
But what will make Phillips a Pro Bowler, and a known star in this country, will be the sacks.
There was 8 sacks in year one and 7.5 in year two and 12 or more is not unreasonable for this season.
Phillips says he does not have a specific sack goal and there is no such piece of paper folded and tucked away in a drawer with any such number.
"Success isn’t determined just based on numbers, especially not just based on sack numbers," said Phillips, who, nonetheless, is poised to put up huge sack numbers.
GALLERY A look at Jaelan Phillips, Miami Dolphins pass rusher
It wasn't until Year 4 that Dolphins' Hall of Fame pass rusher Jason Taylor exploded with 14.5 sacks.
Taylor would go on to eclipse 10 sacks in 8 of the next 10 seasons.
Phillips, who is 6-foot-5, 266 pounds, and 24 years old, seems on a collision-course with greatness.
And he's loving the "freedom" of the Vic Fangio defensive scheme.
Former NFL executive Louis Riddick, now an ESPN analyst, believes Phillips will be a breakout star in the NFL this season.
"He has one of the highest pass-rush win rates in the NFL and is a first-rounder," Riddick said. "He is one of the best athletes in the NFL. He is the perfect, perfect prototype 3-4 outside backer. This has to be the year he bursts onto the scene and become a superstar. Because there is no reason for him not to. None."
OH NO Pro Bowl left tackle Terron Armstead leaves practice on cart but injury may not be serious
Asked about McDaniel's remark that he's taken a step forward this year, Phillips cited his practice competition with a Texans' lineman. Coincidentally, George Fant was a New York Jet when Phillips was a rookie.
"My rookie year I had no answers for him at all," Phillips recalled. "That boy was (frustrating) me all game. This week I felt a lot more competitive against him."
Phillips said his confidence as a pass-rusher has improved.
We see it. He's been utterly dominant.
And there is no reason to believe it's going to stop.
Joe Schad is a journalist at The Palm Beach Post. You can reach him at jschad@pbpost.com and follow him on social media platforms @schadjoe. Sign up for Joe's free weekly Dolphins Pulse Newsletter. Help support our work by subscribing.
Miami Dolphins (0-1) at Houston Texans (1-0)
When: Saturday, 4 p.m.
Where: NRG Stadium, Houston
Weather: Projected to be 101 degrees at kickoff. 2 percent chance of rain.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Jaelan Phillips cannot be blocked. The Dolphins have a future NFL star.
