Dolphins camp preview: Jordan Phillips
Defensive tackle is an area of high concern for the Dolphins entering the 2018 season with Jordan Phillips as the biggest question mark.
The Miami Dolphins rookies reported to training camp on Wednesday. Two undrafted players, Anthony Moten and Jamiyus Pittman, were among the players to report. They are the only defensive tackles to report for Miami ahead of the veterans on July 25th. Neither is expected to make the team unless they have an outstanding training camp.
After departing with Ndamukong Suh in the offseason, it was widely expected that the Dolphins would have selected a defensive tackle in the 2018 NFL Draft. There was even speculation that they could take one as high as the first round. Minkah Fitzpatrick was by and large a better option still sitting there for Miami, but it was surprising to see the team pass on defensive tackles throughout the three-day process.
Losing Suh is a big loss even though he was not worth the contract he was receiving. Doing little to fill that hole makes defensive tackle one of the biggest areas of concern heading into the season. Shortly after the draft, however, Miami did make a trade with the Detroit Lions for the rights to Akeem Spence, who will battle in camp for a starting position. Although the loss of Suh is a big deal, the truth is that the Dolphins run defense wasn’t very good with him so they can’t exactly get much worse in that category.
It’s pretty clear that Miami wants to rotate their interior players this season instead of relying on just one guy like they did with Suh. Although players will be consistently rotated, all eyes will be on one player in particular, Jordan Phillips.
Phillips has primarily been a bust throughout his first three seasons in the league. Lack of effort had been the concern of Phillips prior to entering the league, and unfortunately, it’s carried over into his professional career as well. In 2015, when Miami drafted him, management pointed to his high level of success when he showed valiant effort, and they hoped that they could persuade him to give 100% every play when they drafted him in the second round.
He didn’t show it in his first two seasons, however, motivating them to draft Davon Godchaux and Vincent Taylor in 2017. The moves inspired Phillips some, but not at an eye-popping level. Now with Suh gone, Miami will rely heavily on all three players.
To this point, I’ve tried to focus my camp previews on bubble players. Phillips does not fit that mold as he is a guarantee to make the Dolphins final 53-man roster. In fact, he’s going to have to be one of the leaders at defensive tackle, even if by default. The only bubble will be for Phillips personally. This coming season will be the biggest of Phillips young career with this being the final year on his rookie deal.
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Phillips knows that if wants to continue his professional football career, he’s going to have to show out in 2018. Typically called a contract year, Phillips will look to get paid handsomely in 2019, but that won’t happen with another lackluster season.
It all starts with training camp for Phillips. If he shows improvement early, and some form of leadership, it will not only impress his teammates and coaching staff, but word will get out to other teams as well.
The reality is that Phillips’ days in Miami are likely numbered, regardless of how this season plays out. He just hasn’t played up to par to this point, and if he does this year it may come off as though he is just looking to get paid. Should he have a solid season it’s likely that another team will offer him much more than anything the Dolphins would be willing to give.
He doesn’t fit the bill as an Adam Gase type guy either. An obvious change this offseason has been Miami bringing in players and coaches to Gase’s liking. Regardless of how the Dolphins season plays out, Gase is most likely to get at least another year as head coach in South Florida. The trend of bringing in Gase’s guys will continue, and will almost assuredly mean Phillips will be gone. Either way, both the Dolphins and Phillips would benefit in the short-term and long-term if he can finally have the breakout season we’ve all hoped for.