Patriots reportedly targeting Dolphins pass rusher ahead of trade deadline

The Patriots may ask a division rival to assist fill their want to enhance at edge rusher.

New England is amongst a handful of groups focusing on Miami edge rusher Jaelan Phillips, The Athletic‘s Dianna Russini reported Saturday. Because the 49ers and Eagles are among the many different groups excited by Phillips, the Dolphins are asking for a minimum of a third-round choose for the standout edge rusher, Russini added.

Phillips has seemingly turn into one of many high gamers out there throughout the NFL forward of Tuesday’s commerce deadline. The Dolphins fell to 2-7 following their loss to the Ravens on Thursday and parted methods with their common supervisor on Friday, elevating the hypothesis that they might be buying and selling gamers within the coming days. Phillips hasn’t been the explanation for the Dolphins’ poor play, logging a sack on Thursday and two sacks within the final three video games.

Whereas all three of Phillips’s sacks this season have come within the final month, he’s appeared to regain the shape he had previous to struggling an Achilles tear late within the 2023 season. He ranks eleventh in pressures amongst edge rushers (32), per Professional Soccer Focus. He’s additionally tied for thirteenth in pass-rush win price amongst edge rushers who’ve performed a minimum of 5 video games this season (19.3). 

Phillips has additionally been productive at stopping the run this season. He’s seventh amongst edge rushes in run-stop win price (31 p.c) to associate with 25 complete tackles this season. 

Phillips isn’t the one Dolphins edge rusher who’s been rumored to probably get traded earlier than the deadline, both. Veteran Bradley Chubb can also be a commerce candidate as he’s bought 4 sacks this season.

Contemplating Phillips’s age (26) in comparison with Chubbs (29) and up to date play, it’s straightforward to assume Phillips is the extra interesting choice of the 2. Nonetheless, he’s additionally within the remaining yr of his rookie contract, whereas Chubb has two years remaining on his present deal.

Phillips, who the Dolphins took within the first spherical of the 2021 NFL Draft, had 22 sacks over his first three seasons within the league. He had 6.5 in 2023 earlier than the aforementioned Achilles damage minimize his season brief after eight video games. 

The Patriots aren’t essentially in dire want of an edge rusher, however they might actually use one other physique on the place. Their edge depth took a success after they traded Keion White to the 49ers on Tuesday. There have additionally been rumors about Anfernee Jennings’s future with the workforce as he’s additionally a candidate to get moved forward of the commerce deadline.

By way of manufacturing, the Patriots’ move rush has had some ups and downs this season. Newcomers Harold Landry (5.5 sacks) and Ok’Lavon Chaisson (4.5 sacks) have been productive alongside the sting, whereas Milton Williams has additionally gotten to opposing quarterbacks just a few instances (3.5 sacks within the inside). These three, plus Christian Barmore, have additionally ranked among the many greatest at their respective positions in move rush win price and pressures as nicely.

However the Patriots have recorded only one sack or fewer in 4 of their final six video games, failing to stress opposing quarterbacks persistently. They’re tied for thirteenth within the league in sacks this season with 13.