Breaking: Miami Dolphins take edge Jaelan Phillips at 18

After selecting Jaylen Waddle with the sixth overall pick, the Dolphins looked at defense with their second first-round pick. Phillips considered the top EDGE rusher in the draft, is the first player at that position to be taken.

Coming out of High School, Phillips was the number one overall recruit in the country in the 2017 recruiting cycle and committed to his hometown UCLA. After dealing with injuries his first two seasons, Phillips transferred to Miami where he was able to produce 8 sacks and show enough to be a first-round pick.

It was always clear that Phillips was talented, but the injury history was a major red flag. He was able to show he could stay healthy and be a major X-factor for the Hurricanes.

The Dolphins were in dire need of adding a versatile EDGE rusher after trading away Shaq Lawson to the Houston Texans and releasing LB Kyle Van Noy. Phillips should be an instant starter in his rookie season opposite of Emmanual Ogbah. He should fill the role left by Van Noy as Jerome Baker and Benardrick McKinney are expected to play inside in the Dolphins 3-4 defense.

The combination of Waddle and Phillips for the Dolphins is an impressive haul. Not only are they both high-caliber players and both considered elite, but it also filled major holes that the team had coming into draft night.

The Dolphins’ next selection is in round 2 with the 36th overall pick, where they will likely target a running back or offensive tackle.