Introduction
Jaelan Phillips is one of the more intriguing young pass-rushers in the NFL. A former first-round pick out of Miami Hurricanes (after transferring from UCLA Bruins), he has shown flashes of dominance, but also has battled injuries that have tempered his trajectory. In this article we’ll explore his contract, injury history, his rating in the popular video game franchise Madden NFL 26 (as a proxy for his perceived value), his college career and highlights, to give a full picture of where he stands and where he might go.
Contract: Rookie Deal & Financials
Phillips was selected 18th overall in the 2021 NFL Draft by the Miami Dolphins.
According to salary-cap tracking site OverTheCap:
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He signed a 4-year rookie contract worth $14,018,206, with that full amount guaranteed.
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His average annual value (APY) is approximately $3,504,552.
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For 2025 his cap charge is projected at ~$13.25 million.
What this means: the Dolphins invested heavily in Phillips, giving him full guarantee at rookie cost; they clearly believed he could be a foundational pass-rusher. However, such a contract also raises expectations of performance and durability.
Contract implications:
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Since it is fully guaranteed, the team bears risk if Phillips cannot play or produce due to injury.
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His 2025 cap number is substantial for a young player still establishing himself. That means if he under-performs or misses time, the opportunity cost for the team is higher.
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For Phillips, the contract ensures financial security early in his career, but also increases pressure to stay healthy and productive.
Injury History: The Roadblock
One of the biggest caveats in Phillips’ profile is his injury history, which has interrupted his development and created questions about his long-term durability.
Key injury facts:
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In the 2023 season, Phillips suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon (right Achilles) in Week 12 while on track to perhaps his best season.
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In the 2024 season, he sustained a season-ending knee injury (in his case, a torn ACL / reconstructive knee surgery) in Week 4.
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Earlier in his career he missed some games due to other issues (oblique, MCL, Achilles recovery) as noted in injury trackers.
Impact of injuries:
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The Achilles tear alone is significant for a pass-rusher whose game depends on explosion, change of direction, and burst. Recovery can be challenging.
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A subsequent major knee injury amplifies concern — two serious lower-body injuries in successive seasons raise red flags for performance and longevity.
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While Phillips has shown he can play well when healthy, availability is part of value in the NFL; teams monitor that closely.
Outlook:
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On the positive side, medical techniques and rehab have improved, and many players return to near peak after such injuries — though not always.
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For Phillips, the key will be how his burst, agility, and change-of-direction metrics return.
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For the team (and fantasy/analyst watchers), his injury history means some caution is prudent: high upside, but risk attached.
Madden Rating & Game Value
For many fans, the rating of a player in the video game franchise Madden NFL 26 (by EA Sports) is a fun proxy for market/perceived value. Phillips’ rating provides insight into how he is viewed in the broader ecosystem.
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According to EA Sports’ official site, Jaelan Phillips is rated 82 OVR in Madden 26, playing Left Edge (LEDG) for the Dolphins.
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Key general ratings include: Speed 86, Acceleration 90, Strength 83, Agility 85, Jumping 87, Injury 83, Stamina 83.
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Independent fan-site MaddenRatings shows the same 82 overall, with the archetype “Smaller Speed Rusher”, and highlights his acceleration (90) as his standout trait.
Interpretation:
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An overall rating of 82 places him solidly above average, though not yet elite. For context, some of the very top edge rushers may be rated mid-90s.
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The high acceleration (90) and speed (86) values align with Phillips’ real-life reputation as an explosive rusher.
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The “Injury” rating of 83 suggests the game factors in durability somewhat, though real-life availability issues may not be fully captured.
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The “Smaller Speed Rusher” archetype implies a scenario where he uses quickness rather than sheer size or power, fitting his profile at ~6′5″/263 lbs.
Why this matters for analysis:
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While video game ratings are entertainment-driven, they reflect consensus perceptions: Phillips has upside, elite physical tools, but has not yet achieved dominant status due to limited sample and injuries.
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It also gives fans a tangible way to compare Phillips vs. peers in a gaming context, which flows into broader media/fan discussions.
College Career & Highlights
Phillips’ path to the NFL was not linear. His college career includes transfers, early setbacks, and a breakout period that propelled him into first-round consideration.
Early years:
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Phillips began his college career at UCLA (2017-2018). He had some promising moments, but also dealt with injuries (including multiple concussions, ankle issues) that clouded his early trajectory.
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After the 2018 season, he stepped away from football temporarily due to health concerns and returned to academics/music before transferring.
Miami Hurricanes (2019-2020):
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Phillips transferred to the University of Miami and played for the Hurricanes. In 2020, he had a breakout season: first-team All-American honours, impressive pass-rush numbers.
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His 2020 season included 45 total tackles, 15.5 tackles for loss, and about 7 sacks (depending on source) in a shortened season due to COVID-19. (Video highlight of his 2020 season shows 7 sacks in that year)
Draft & pre-NFL perception:
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His resurgence at Miami displayed his athleticism, length, burst and versatility — traits that NFL teams covet in an edge-rusher.
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Injuries remained part of his story, but his upside vaulted him into first-round calculations.
Highlights:
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The 2020 season showcases his combination of speed, pass-rush moves and disruption in the backfield.
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At Miami, he showed he could work as a hybrid defensive end/outside linebacker in pass-rush packages.
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The transfer story and comeback narrative enhanced his draft stock: teams often like players who overcome adversity.
NFL Performance & Current Status
Since being drafted in 2021, Phillips’ NFL career has had promising flashes, tempered by the aforementioned injuries.
2021 (Rookie season):
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Appeared in all 17 games for the Dolphins. He recorded 8.5 sacks and demonstrated effectiveness as a rookie.
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Earned recognition — made the PFWA All-Rookie Team.
2022 season:
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Continued to develop, increased tackle numbers, improved his pass-rush consistency. Specific sack numbers: around 7 sacks.
2023 season:
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On track for a breakout year: in 8 games, 6.5 sacks before the Achilles injury ended his season prematurely.
2024 season:
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Started the year but suffered a knee injury in Week 4 (torn ACL/reconstructive surgery) and was ruled out for the season.
Present outlook (as of 2025):
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Phillips is still under his rookie deal heading into his “contract year” (assuming no extension yet). His large cap hit for 2025 ($13.25M) indicates the team expects him to contribute.
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Health and production will determine both his extension prospects and long-term future.
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For fans and analysts, he remains a high-ceiling player: if fully healthy, he could be a top-tier pass-rusher; if not, the injury history will weigh heavily.
Why Phillips Matters & What to Watch
Why he matters:
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Edge rushers are premium assets in today’s NFL — teams pay big for players who can consistently pressure the quarterback.
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Phillips blends size (6′5″, ~263 lbs), speed/acceleration (per scouting and Madden ratings), and a proven college track record of disruption.
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For the Dolphins (or any team he plays for), if he can stay healthy, he potentially fills a “difference-maker” spot.
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In fantasy football or dynasty leagues, Phillips presents upside and risk: a boom/bust profile.
What to watch:
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Health / availability – Will his burst, change‐of‐direction and explosion return to pre-injury levels? Will he avoid major setbacks?
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Production/resume building – Sacks are the headline stat, but pressures, run-stop ability, consistency matter. Can he translate his college dominance to full NFL seasons?
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Extension or next contract – How teams view him (given the contract investment and injury risk) will affect his value.
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Role and scheme fit – Is he best used as a “speed rusher” in sub-packages, or can he hold up in base sets? Does the defense deploy him optimally?
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Consistency & durability – Beyond talent, sustained availability is the hallmark of top players.
Conclusion
Jaelan Phillips is a classic “high upside, high risk” player in the NFL landscape. With his rookie contract, his impressive physical tools (as evidenced by his Madden rating and draft scouting), and his college background, he has all the ingredients to become a dominant edge-rusher. But the recurrent injuries introduce significant risk.
