$27 Million Former First Round Pick Could ‘Elevate’ Buccaneers Pass Rush
While NFL teams are no longer allowed to do “fire sales” when they’re facing a lost season, they can still make moves that seem counter to winning football games, but only if they’re done in a strategic way.
If the first week of the 2025 regular season is any indication, the Miami Dolphins could very well be headed toward striking some pretty “strategic” deals in the near future as they try to dismantle then rebuild a roster that’s bottomed out.
One of the players that could very well be on the trading block is fifth year edge rusher and former first round pick Jaelan Phillips — a talented player who has seen his career derailed due to injuries but could still help a contender.
Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox thinks the Tampa Bay Buccaneers could add Phillips to their defense in exchange for a 2026 fourth round pick, although it’s not out of the realm of possibility the Dolphins might bite on a 2026 fifth round pick.
If it’s a fourth round pick, the Buccaneers might be smart to get the Dolphins to pick up part of the tab on the $13.259 million Phillips is owed in 2025.
The Dolphins picked up the fifth year extension on the 4-year, $14 million rookie contract Phillips signed in 2021 — money that will bring his career earnings to approximately $27.2 million following this season.
“Playoff hopefuls are often in the market for edge-rushers, and the Miami Dolphins might have one to spare between now and the trade deadline,” Knox wrote on September 10. ” … Moving Phillips would be logical if the Dolphins don’t turn things around quickly. Though season-ending injuries have impacted each of the last two seasons, the 26-year-old had 22 sacks over the first three years of his career. Finally healthy again, he could likely net Miami a high Day 3 pick at a minimum.”
From Medical Retirement To First Round Pick
Phillips, 6-foot-5 and 260 pounds, only played in 11 games over his first 2 college seasons at UCLA due to injuries and medically retired from football in December 2018 after a moped accident.
He wouldn’t return to the field for 2 years, eventually playing a dominant final season for the University of Miami in 2020 where he earned All-American and All-ACC honors with 45 tackles, 8.0 sacks, 16 TFL, 3 pass deflections and one interception in 10 games.
After running the 40-yard dash in 4.57 seconds at Pro Day, the Dolphins took him in the first round (No. 18 overall) of the 2021 NFL draft.
Through his first 2 NFL seasons, Phillips was one of the NFL’s dominant young pass rushers, playing in all 34 regular season games with 103 tackles, 15.5 sacks, 17 TFL, 3 fumble recoveries and an incredible 41 QB hits.
Injuries Cost Phillips Tens Of Millions
Phillips looked like he was on the verge of a true ascension to one of the NFL’s elite pass rushers in 2023 with 6.5 sacks through the first 8 games before he tore his Achilles tendon. He returned in Week 4 of the 2024 season against the Tennessee Titans but tore his ACL in his first game back.
While it’s safe to assume Phillips is a different player after 2 career changing injuries and missing 25 games over the last 2 years, having him in a rotation with Buccaneers edge rushers YaYa Diaby and Haason Reddick could be the type of potent mix that elevates the defense from middle of the pack to elite.
Raiders’ Geno Smith Gives Blunt Response on Jakobi Meyers Connection
Geno Smith’s go-to receiver in the Las Vegas Raiders‘ Week 1 over the New England Patriots was Jakobi Meyers. Moreover, the veteran signal-caller explained why there’s a connection with Meyers right out of the gate.
In Week 1, Smith completed 24 of 34 passes for 362 yards and a touchdown. The veteran receiver added eight catches for 97 yards, putting together a standout performance in New England.
His lone touchdown came on a 26-yard strike to Tre Tucker in the first quarter, while he also connected with tight end Brock Bowers five times for 103 yards. Late in the fourth, Smith threw a 36-yard pass to rookie Dont’e Thornton, helping the Raiders secure the win.
On September 11, Smith spoke to the media and shared what led to that instant relationship with Meyers.
“I think it’s the fact that he played quarterback,” Smith said. “You know, he’s very QB-friendly. He understands the game. He knows where to be, when to be there. He’s got great hands as you can see, very good after the catch. Really impressive in that area.”
Geno Smith Gives Raiders’ Jakobi Meyers Love
While Smith understands the aspect that Meyers brings to the field, another reason why the relationship has instantly connected is because of how the wide receiver conducts himself off the field.
“I think the most impressive thing is just how humble he is and how much of a team player he is and how much he wants the other guys around him to be great. I think that’s something that is special and it’s rare in that position room. And so we got a lot of great guys, but I enjoy playing with Jacobe. I think he’s one of the best.”
Neither player connected for a touchdown against the Patriots. However, the elements did play a role in it. It will be interesting to see if these two connect for a touchdown or even more receiving yards playing at home.
Geno Smith Shares Mindset for Raiders
After the win over New England, Smith told CBS Sports he’s happy to kick off his time in Las Vegas with a strong performance. Though the former Seattle Seahawks quarterback is earning plenty of praise, he remains focused and is approaching each game step by step.
“Just one win,“ Smith said. “We’ve got a long ways to go. Happy we got to win, but we got to work tomorrow. I’m ready for work… I think we just stuck with the game plan. I thought we did execute it better in the second half. It’s a four-quarter game. They’re a good team as well. I mean, it’s the NFL. They’re going to win some as well. But we stuck with it, no one panicked, and we kept going, and we figured it out.”
Las Vegas now shifts focus to Week 2, where it will take on the Los Angeles Chargers in an AFC West matchup. Both teams come into the game riding a win and will be looking to start 2-0 in the 2025 NFL season, with the Chargers having beaten the Kansas City Chiefs in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
