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2020 NFL Draft - Pick #97 - Jacob Phillips, LB, LSU
- Thread starter MoFlo
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Out of the Rafters at the Q
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Are you kidding? Phillips fills a need at SAM and is already fantastic against the run, which despite "Modern NFL is passing" you need to shut down to compete in the AFC North, and to hang with the big boys in the playoffs. Phillips was a captain at LSU and brings a nice complement to Wilson in our linebacking corps.
I also didn't scout this guy at all and just pulled those buzzwords from our draft chat room.
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Meh.
Can't all be winners.
Can't all be winners.
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Ugh, I am... not a fan. He really, really struggles in coverage and has never been a good pass rusher.
He is an elite tackler. My guess is the Browns are hoping that, if he is given time to shine, he can develop the other parts of his game. I am just doubtful.
Blurb from Bob McGinn's Draft Series...
JACOB PHILLIPS, LSU (6-3, 229, 4.64, 4): Phillips led the national champions in tackles with 113. “He had no hype at all, but he’s actually my favorite of all these linebackers,” said one scout. “He worked out well and played hard. More physical than (Patrick) Queen. Phillips is bigger, more competitive, more physical, more instinctive, more productive. Second round.” He declared a year early after playing extensively off the bench and starting 26 games the past two years. “Fifth round,” a second scout said. “I question his level of explosion. Struggles to easily open up his hips. Doesn’t show natural feel. Needs a clean path to make plays. Just enough speed. Plays high and doesn’t use his hands around blockers.” Phillips finished with 218 tackles (13 ½ for loss) and two sacks. “He won’t last to the fifth or sixth round,” a third scout said. “He started at LSU for two years. If a guy can run a defense, a guy like that is invaluable.” Phillips is from Nashville.
JACOB PHILLIPS, LSU (6-3, 229, 4.64, 4): Phillips led the national champions in tackles with 113. “He had no hype at all, but he’s actually my favorite of all these linebackers,” said one scout. “He worked out well and played hard. More physical than (Patrick) Queen. Phillips is bigger, more competitive, more physical, more instinctive, more productive. Second round.” He declared a year early after playing extensively off the bench and starting 26 games the past two years. “Fifth round,” a second scout said. “I question his level of explosion. Struggles to easily open up his hips. Doesn’t show natural feel. Needs a clean path to make plays. Just enough speed. Plays high and doesn’t use his hands around blockers.” Phillips finished with 218 tackles (13 ½ for loss) and two sacks. “He won’t last to the fifth or sixth round,” a third scout said. “He started at LSU for two years. If a guy can run a defense, a guy like that is invaluable.” Phillips is from Nashville.
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Dane Brugler on him:
STRENGTHS: Quick to trigger in a straight line, mirroring ball carriers to the edge…decisive diagnose skills and pursuit angles…quality run fits, coming to balance on the move and squaring his target…always in control downhill, scraping and bottling things up…doesn’t back down from trench warfare…looks to reroute and disrupt timing when covering backs or tight ends…returned his only interception 45 yards for a touchdown…reliable playing temperament…highly productive with 200 total tackles and 7.7 tacklers per game as a two-year starter.
WEAKNESSES: Plays upright and stiff-jointed…rigid hip action when attempting to quickly change directions…his false steps tend to result in chunk plays for the offense…not shy getting his hands involved when taking on blocks, but his average play strength will be more of an issue vs. NFL competition…not an explosive tackler…needs to better navigate through the weeds…often came off the field in passing situations…too reactive in coverage, staring at the backfield and losing track of pass targets…poor ball production with only six passes defended in 39 games played. [183]
SUMMARY: A two-year starter at LSU, Phillips was an inside linebacker in former defensive coordinator Dave Aranda’s 3-4 scheme. He wasn’t a high-profile name on the Tigers’ defense, but he padded the stat sheet as a junior, finishing as the top tackler for the national champions. Phillips is consistently around the football with his reliable reaction to movement, beating blockers to the spot and mirroring ball carriers. While a steady tackler (you can count his 2019 missed tackles on one hand), his body stiffness and questionable play strength won’t be as easy to mask at the next level. Overall, Phillips has limitations that lowers his NFL ceiling, but teams will be comfortable taking a chance on a player with his production, nose for the ball and straight-line speed – traits that project well to special teams.
GRADE: 5th Round
STRENGTHS: Quick to trigger in a straight line, mirroring ball carriers to the edge…decisive diagnose skills and pursuit angles…quality run fits, coming to balance on the move and squaring his target…always in control downhill, scraping and bottling things up…doesn’t back down from trench warfare…looks to reroute and disrupt timing when covering backs or tight ends…returned his only interception 45 yards for a touchdown…reliable playing temperament…highly productive with 200 total tackles and 7.7 tacklers per game as a two-year starter.
WEAKNESSES: Plays upright and stiff-jointed…rigid hip action when attempting to quickly change directions…his false steps tend to result in chunk plays for the offense…not shy getting his hands involved when taking on blocks, but his average play strength will be more of an issue vs. NFL competition…not an explosive tackler…needs to better navigate through the weeds…often came off the field in passing situations…too reactive in coverage, staring at the backfield and losing track of pass targets…poor ball production with only six passes defended in 39 games played. [183]
SUMMARY: A two-year starter at LSU, Phillips was an inside linebacker in former defensive coordinator Dave Aranda’s 3-4 scheme. He wasn’t a high-profile name on the Tigers’ defense, but he padded the stat sheet as a junior, finishing as the top tackler for the national champions. Phillips is consistently around the football with his reliable reaction to movement, beating blockers to the spot and mirroring ball carriers. While a steady tackler (you can count his 2019 missed tackles on one hand), his body stiffness and questionable play strength won’t be as easy to mask at the next level. Overall, Phillips has limitations that lowers his NFL ceiling, but teams will be comfortable taking a chance on a player with his production, nose for the ball and straight-line speed – traits that project well to special teams.
GRADE: 5th Round
Cassity14
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I remember Kirksey being an underwhelming selection way back when too as a third round linebacker. He, like Phillips, was propped up by his intangibles, and those translated extremely well to the NFL.
I'm hopeful.
I'm hopeful.