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DEFENSIVE END DRAFT Film Review Opinion Philadelphia Eagles

2021 Draft Profile: Miami DE Jaelan Phillips

20 February 2021 DEFENSIVE END DRAFT Film Review Opinion Philadelphia Eagles

If there is one thing that the Eagles draft in abundance it’s the trenches. I don’t see that changing this year due to the depth of this years DE class. One of this years best edge rushers is University of Miami’s DE Jaelan Phillips. He is currently my DE1. Over the past 2-3 months Phillips has been one of the class’s highest risers and rightfully so.

Draft Profile Below

Background

  • Age: 21
  • Position: Defensive End
  • School: University of Miami/UCLA
  • Size: 6’5 265 lbs
  • Class: Red Shirt Jr
  • Career Stats: 86 tackles, 23.5 TFL’s, 12.5 sacks, 5 PD’s, 1 INT’s

Accolades

  • 2020 All-America, First Team
  • 2020 AP All-America, Second Team
  • 2020 All-ACC, Second Team
  • 2020 Bednarik Award semifinalist

Games Watched: (2020) Virginia Tech, (2020) Duke, (2020) Louisville, (2020) NC State

  • Best Game: (2020) Virginia Tech
  • Worst Game: (2020) Louisville

Strenghts: One of the most complete defensive ends in the draft. Everything comes to this kid naturally. Extremely quick off the LOS. He’s gifted with rare flexibility, speed to power, length and quickness. Incredibly patient in the run game and short/intermediate pass game. Ability to be versatile and rush with his hands in the dirt, standing up, or inside that will be coveted by coaches and scouts. Technique is almost flawless. Has every counter move in his arsenal. His outside dip move is one of the best I’ve ever scouted.

Weaknesses: Was hurt his first two seasons at UCLA. Has a very small sample size, but that sample size shows greatness. The whole thing around Phillips is uncertainty. If teams feel they can keep him healthy, then they can potentially have a perennial Pro Bowler on their hands.

Overall: The upside Jaelan Phillips possesses is limitless. The kid has all the tools in his shed. You turn on the tape and you can see how technically sound he is. Phillips is a playmaker in the pass rush and the run game. His IQ is going to make him a very successful player for a very long time. Though Phillips may not be the first DE taken, I have little doubt that if he stays healthy, he will have the most successful career out of all the DE in the draft.

Pro Comparison: Ryan Kerrigan

Pick Projection: Top 15-25 pick

For more 2021 NFL Draft analysis and breakdowns follow me on Twitter @ajtorres1230. There is more draft prospects profiles coming in the near future.

All the clips and audio from the video above are not my own and only used for entertainment purposes.

Featured Image: The Athletic

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