Gang Green Nation
The Jets recently acquired former Bills and Vikings defensive tackle Harrison Phillips via trade. Today we break Phillips down in detail.
The 29-year old Phillips is listed at 6’3″ and 307 pounds and was a third round pick out of Stanford in 2018. Prior to joining the Jets, he started 62 games in seven NFL seasons, racking up over 300 tackles and eight sacks.
Background
Phillips was a highly successful wrestler and all-state lineman at high school in Omaha, but was only ranked as a three-star prospect due to concerns over the level of competition. However, he impressed the coaches enough at Stanford to earn a full scholarship.
His career got off to a slow start as he was in a reserve role in his freshman year, registering nine tackles and two sacks in seven games, then suffered a season ending injury in the first game of his second season.
In 2016, as a redshirt sophomore, Phillips saw his role increased as he recorded 45 tackles and added six sacks. He was named as an all-Pac-12 honorable mention.
Then, in 2017, he led the FBS in tackles as he was named an all-PAC-12 first team selection. He also had a career-high 7.5 sacks. Phillips announced he was leaving to enter the 2018 NFL draft at the end of the season.
After impressing at the the combine and senior bowl, Phillips was eventually selected by the Bills in the third round. However, his NFL career began similarly to his college career, as he was a reserve in his rookie year and then suffered another season ending injury early on in year two.
He made the first three starts of his career in his third season in 2020, but by the end of his third season, he had just 54 tackles and half a sack in 31 career games.
2021 was a contract year for Phillips, who broke out with 51 tackles and four tackles for loss in 14 games, as he made eight starts. However, he left the Bills at the end of the season and signed for Minnesota.
Over the last three seasons, Phillips started all 51 games and helped the Vikings’ run defense to improve to 8th best in the NFL in 2023 and 2nd best last year. His snap counts and statistical production increased significantly as well.
The Vikings have good depth on their defensive line, so they opted to trade Phillips to the Jets after preseason, even paying part of his salary. The Jets will pay him $3.7 million this year and he will remain under contract for $7.5 million next year.
Let’s move onto some more in-depth analysis of what Phillips brings to the table as a player, based on extensive research and film study.
Measurables/Athleticism
Phillips was listed as a 223-pound weakside defensive end when he first started to gain interest as a high school recruit, but he bulked up to 285 as he headed to Stanford and now has a sturdy 307-pound frame with...
