Why Jaelen Phillips will Rebound in 2023

Here are some prior articles in this series:
Can Divine Deablo Rebound in 2023?
Can Kyle Hamilton Rebound in 2023?
Can Shaquil Barrett Rebound in 2023?

One of the most common metaphors in our world is the big fish in a small pond. Essentially, this means that the so-called big fish is really someone who may be standing out in their field or community, but in comparison to other ponds, this achievement may not be as big as you think. Sure, it is easy to gloat about the only big fish in the pond that you try to catch, but isn't it a little more impressive if you deep sea fish in the ocean? This analogy can be used to describe the Miami Dolphins. The Dolphins are loaded with big names on the offensive side of the ball. Tua, Tyreek Hill, and Jaylen Waddle, to name a few. On the defensive side of the ball, though, the names are a bit sparse. There is a star brewing here, and it may be a name you haven't seen too often. Sure, you've probably heard the name Christian Wilkins, but I believe he may be the second-best defensive lineman on the team! Ladies and Gentlemen, may I interest you in Jaelen Phillips?

A Brief but Effective Career

Phillips burst into the league as the 18th pick in the 2021 NFL draft by way of the University of Miami. He has been an outside linebacker/ edge rusher in his brief career and has been a rather consistent performer since entering the league. His rookie season was a stout 42 total tackles and eight sacks, and this past season he accumulated 60 total tackles with seven sacks. Not too shabby for a man who was coded in most formats as a linebacker. One of the more baffling things about Phillips' ascension is the little praise he has received as a young player contributing to the league. Being one of the top 20 picks in any season's draft comes with expectations that many don't live up to. Phillips has seemingly fallen under the radar in his first two seasons. But IDP managers can expect that to change this upcoming season, and there are a variety of reasons why.

Position Change

If I have said it once, I have said it a million times. The recent positional changes on major platforms such as Sleeper and MFL have had a wide-ranging impact on IDP fantasy football. The most important and present changes have been linebackers and defensive linemen. Typically, players who were outside linebackers and coded as such were guys you would think twice before starting in your lineup. Phillips was coded as a linebacker, which he technically is, but in a 3-4 defense. The changes have shown us that outside linebackers, which are now beginning to be called edge rushers in a 3-4 defense, are being changed to defensive end. This makes perfect sense considering most of these guys line up on the line and pressure the quarterback 90+% of their snaps. Due to this change, Phillips goes from a sack-dependent player at linebacker to a top potential option at defensive line for your team. He finished last season with more tackles than Nick Bosa and more sacks than Demarcus Lawrence. He was in his second year and drastically improved his tackles while also maintaining his sack pace from the year prior.

A Valuable Acquisition

Jaelen Phillips is that rare player that most people don't talk about who is ascending at his position. He likely is going unnoticed due to the Miami offense garnering much, if not all, the media's attention. In redraft leagues, Phillips is a later-round steal and is the second player from the Miami defensive line to go after perennial no-doubt winner Christian Wilkins. The fact he was a linebacker last season made him a spot starter who was likely available on your waiver wire. He cannot be sitting out there in your leagues, and if he is, swipe him up now! The position is as deep as it has been in years, but that doesn't mean there aren't gems in the late rounds of the draft. In dynasty leagues, if you were savvy enough to draft Phillips as a rookie or acquire him for linebacker depth, you must be smiling from ear to ear with this change. He is at the ripe age of 24 with a track record of consistent production, no injury history, and a player alongside him that will garner most of the attention of the opposing offensive line. He has all the makings of the next big thing at defensive end so long as he continues his trajectory set forth by his first two years in the league.

Conclusion

Whether you like the analogy of the pond or not, it helps us contextualize situations with people who may be outperforming their market. Whether it's big business or the NFL, it is very easy to get lost in the scuffle of talent that surrounds you. That is why as fantasy managers, we must highlight the trends we see and try to be ahead of the curve. If Jaelen Phillips has a similar year to last or breaks through to the other side and exceeds the standard, he will be the talk of the position come this time next season. There is an opportunity to see the band before they're famous here. Draft or acquire Phillips in any format you can and watch your investment shoot to the moon! With as deep as the position is, even the risk of Phillips likely doesn't hurt your chances or impact your team outside of potential depth impacts. His upside is every week starter who will not lay an egg on your roster. So, when looking into Phillips this season, think to yourself, "Do I want to play against this guy or have him on my team?" You already know my answer, but there's still time for you to get yours squared away. We are mere weeks away from real football, and Phillips is firmly slated as every down starter in a defensive that has a lack of real eye-popping stars. What more do you want from a young player?

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