Miami Dolphins: 3 players who could improve statistically in 2022
Miami Dolphins player who should improve #3: Jaelan Phillips
One of the young pieces on the Dolphins roster to be most excited about is Jaelan Phillips, who was selected in the middle of the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft.
Phillips was viewed as perhaps the most talented pass rusher in his draft class, and one of the most NFL-ready prospects on the defensive side of the ball. Concussion history and injury issues caused him to slide and be available to the Dolphins with the 18th overall pick.
His rookie season was inconsistent, but we saw flashes of brilliance that lead us to believe that he has bigger numbers in store for his second year. Phillips was able to amass 8.5 sacks in his 17 games played and 5 starts, including a dominant 3-sack performance against the Carolina Panthers.
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Phillips did all of this on something of a limited snap count. He played in 53.5 percent of all defensive snaps in 2021, a respectable number, but far less than fellow edge rusher Emmanuel Ogbah, who was in on 67 percent of the plays.
If Phillips is able to see an increase in his usage numbers and his teammates are able to take some heat off of him, don’t be surprised to see the second-year player finish with double-digit sack numbers in 2022.