Phin Phanatic
FanSided

Miami Dolphins rookie outlook for the 2021 season

By Nick Belotto

KNOXVILLE, TN - OCTOBER 20: Jaylen Waddle #17 of the Alabama Crimson Tide runs for a touchdown during the first half of the game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium on October 20, 2018 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Alabama won 58-21. (Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TN - OCTOBER 20: Jaylen Waddle #17 of the Alabama Crimson Tide runs for a touchdown during the first half of the game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium on October 20, 2018 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Alabama won 58-21. (Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images) /
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Miami Dolphins
MIAMI, FLORIDA – JUNE 11: Defensive End Jaelan Phillips #15 of the Miami Dolphins in action during off-season workouts at Baptist Health Training Facility at Nova Southern University on June 11, 2021 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) /

Jaelean Phillips’ story is well known at this point.

After a chaotic start to his collegiate career, Phillips settled things down at the University of Miami and turned in a quality season rushing the passer in the ACC. His play and game breaking potential put him into the first round conversation and convinced the Dolphins to take him with the 18th overall pick.

There is no questioning Phillips’ motor, determination or skill set, but there are huge concerns about how his injury issues will translate to a full NFL season. With a history like Phillips has, there is a legitimate chance that he could get dinged up in his first year in the pros that could hamper his ability on the field.

There is, of course, the chance that he stays healthy. Based on how the NFL has normally worked, however, that seems somewhat unlikely.

Phillips should be a starter on this team pretty early on, considering his draft billing and the lack of a true edge rusher outside of him on the roster. Phillips should be a great compliment to Andrew Van Ginkel and Emmanuel Ogbah coming off the edge and help put pressure on opposing quarterbacks which has been a weakness of this defense in the past few seasons.

Like his fellow first rounder, the potential is there for Phillips to make a solid impact in year one and he could be in the conversation for defensive rookie of the year.

2021 season predictions: 14 Starts, 45 tackles, 8.0 sacks, 2 FF

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