Get ready football fans, Jaelan Phillips, outside linebacker for the Miami Dolphins, is setting up for a great performance in the upcoming 2023 season. Fans are predicting stellar achievements for the 24-year-old pass-rusher and for good reason. He started his journey in the league not just on the right foot but with a bang, smashing Dolphins’ records for rookie sacks with 8.5.
His endeavours didn’t stop there. With improved skills, he finished the following season with 7 sacks, 61 total tackles and 25 quarterback hits, making for a highly impressive tally. The expectations only keep soaring as he goes into the third year of his career. Phillips seems set to join the ranks of the NFL’s top-tier pass-rushers, especially with the new defensive coordinator, Vic Fangio, guiding him.
His talents have not gone unnoticed by sports pundits either. Nick Shook from NFL.com recently put up an article detailing top performers under the age of 25 who play on both the offensive and defensive fronts. Phillips made it to the distinguished list, where he stood as the only Dolphins representation.
Entering the league as a 2021 first-rounder, Phillips has always had the burden of living up to the expectations that come with such an early placement. With 15.5 sacks in his initial two NFL seasons though, he has demonstrated a performance worthy of his draft status. As the 2023 season approaches, keep an eye out for Phillips turning heads as one of the most promising breakout candidates.
While Jaelan Phillips was not the first choice for fans during the draft when Alabama running back Najee Harris was up for grabs, hindsight affirms Miami’s decision to opt for Phillips. Given the transformation under Vic Fangio’s leadership, Phillips is ready to escalate his game and prove the Dolphins’ strategy correct. So, brace yourselves for an explosive performance from Phillips in the 2023 season.
