Given his athletic profile and talent, Phillips owns the type of upside that could make the hired gun a home run in Philly. The fifth-year pro brings some pop to an edge rotation that hasn’t found consistent results. Jalyx Hunt has produced pressures but has just one sack. Za’Darius Smith, who abruptly retired, still leads Eagles edge rushers with 1.5 sacks.
Philly has particularly struggled to get pressure when Jalen Carter is out of the lineup. Adding Phillips to the mix gives the Eagles an edge rusher who can win one-on-ones.
The former first-round pick is on the final year of his rookie contract, which made him a logical trade candidate for the floundering Dolphins. Prior to last week’s firing of GM Chris Grier, there was chatter that Miami had resisted moving any of its trade pieces. Days after taking over, interim GM Champ Kelly has already pulled the trigger. The question is whether it will be the only move Miami makes, with teams calling on several of their players, including Bradley Chubb and Jaylen Waddle.
For a team that needs a drastic overhaul, getting a third-round pick for a player it didn’t seem likely to re-sign is excellent compensation. Given Phillips’ injury history, it’s somewhat surprising the Dolphins got a third-rounder, but that likely speaks to the competition in a trade market in which many teams need edge rush help.
The compensatory pick formula likely came into play for both sides. The most Miami could have gotten if it let Phillips walk in free agency was a third-rounder. If he is just a rental for Philadelphia, the edge rusher signing elsewhere in the offseason could net Roseman a comp pick.
Miami now has three third-round picks in 2026. With holes to fill all over the roster, those selections could become massive for a quick rebuild.
Even trading away a third-round selection, Philly is still projected to have 11 draft picks next year, including two third-rounders (one projected compensatory pick for losing Milton Williams to New England).