When the Miami Dolphins drafted Jaelan Phillips in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft, they saw a franchise pass rusher. Now, with the team sitting at 1-6 and appearing to be in sell mode ahead of the trade deadline, he may be their most valuable trade chip. After two seasons derailed by injuries, both sides could benefit from a fresh start. A move could reignite Phillips’s career with a contender, while the Dolphins could gain valuable draft assets for a player entering the final year of his rookie deal.
Phillips has flashed the high-end ability that made him a first-round pick when he has been healthy. At 6-foot-5 and 263 pounds, the 26-year-old edge rusher has rare size and explosiveness. His first-step burst and ability to bend around the edge give him the traits of a top-tier pass rusher, and he has shown he can finish plays when on the field. When he can string consistent snaps, Phillips is disruptive as a stand-up rusher and when lined up with his hand in the dirt.
However, the concerns surrounding Phillips are clear. He played in only eight games in 2023 and four in 2024 due to multiple lower-body injuries, and his contract is set to expire after the season. Any team acquiring him must decide whether to view him as a rental or a long-term investment. Still, the upside may outweigh the risk for a contender looking to bolster its pass rush for a playoff push. When healthy, Phillips can change a defense’s ceiling.
Here are the five potential trade destinations for Phillips:
San Francisco 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers are winning games, but their pass rush has not looked the same as it did in years past since Nick Bosa’s season-ending injury. The 49ers ranks third-worst in the league in sacks with just nine on the year.
With $23 million in cap space and a clear need for front-seven help, the 49ers make the most sense as a landing spot. Phillips would immediately slot in as a rotational pass rusher opposite Bryce Huff, while also taking pressure off rookie Mykel Williams so that he can develop properly. As one fan shares, Jeremy Fowler listed Phillips as a potential Nick Bosa replacement.
The 49ers also have the draft capital to make this deal work, owning a first, second, third, and fourth-round pick in 2026. In my view, the 49ers are Phillips’ favorite destination. A deal could involve the Dolphins sending Phillips for a fourth-round pick. Alternatively, the teams could swap a Dolphins seventh-round pick along with Phillips for the 49ers’ third-round pick if the 49ers feel comfortable moving out of that spot, given their surplus of fourth-rounders. Currently, the 49ers appear to be the favorite to land Phillips as they look to build off their 5-2 start.
Washington Commanders
The Washington Commanders could also be in the mix, as injuries have decimated their edge rotation. Dorance Armstrong Jr. suffered a season-ending knee injury against Dallas, while Drake Jackson, Javontae Jean-Baptiste, and Deatrich Wise Jr. are all on injured reserve. That leaves veteran Preston Smith as the only completely healthy edge rusher on the roster. While the Commanders rank in the top ten in team sacks this season with 19, their depth has become a serious issue.
With nearly $27 million in cap space and an aggressive front office, the Commanders are in a position to make a move. Their 2026 draft board is somewhat thin, consisting of a first, third, fifth, three sixths, and a seventh-round pick.
The Commanders could send their 2026 third-round pick to the Dolphins in exchange for Phillips and a seventh-round pick. This move would stabilize the position group and help keep the Commanders competitive in the NFC playoff race.
Philadelphia Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles have a reputation for stacking the trenches, but their pass rush has taken a major step down this season after multiple key offseason losses. They have just 11 sacks, fifth-least in the NFL, and are dealing with several injuries at defensive end. Moro Ojomo, Azeez Ojulari, Nolan Smith Jr., and Ogbo Okoronkwo have all been dealing with injuries, leaving Byron Young as the only fully healthy edge on the depth chart.
With $12 million in cap space and multiple mid-round picks, the Eagles could view Phillips as a gamble worth taking to reinforce their defensive line. The Eagles own three third-rounders and two fourth-rounders in 2026, giving them the flexibility to move a fourth-round pick to acquire Phillips. His athleticism and explosiveness would fit perfectly in defensive coordinator Vic Fangio’s scheme, adding juice to a unit that needs fresh energy off the edge.
Detroit Lions
Unlike Aidan Hutchinson, the Detroit Lions have come a long way defensively but still lack a consistent threat. While Detroit is tied for third in the league in sacks, much of that production comes from Hutchinson’s dominance.
Al-Quadin Muhammad has contributed five sacks, but according to PFN’s Edge Impact Rankings, he owns a 69.7 impact score, ranking 62nd at the position. Phillips would bring the high-end talent Detroit has been missing across from Hutchinson, allowing first-year defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard to unleash more creative front packages.
READ MORE:Â 2025 NFL QB Rankings: Jalen Hurts, Aaron Rodgers Among Biggest Risers, Josh Allen Slides Out of Top 5
The Lions have $25 million in available cap space but limited draft capital in the top 150 picks, holding only their first, second, and fourth-round selections. A reasonable package would be sending their 2026 fourth-round pick to the Dolphins in exchange for Phillips. That price would be well worth the potential reward for a team eyeing a deep playoff run.
Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jacksonville Jaguars round out the list as the dark horse among the potential landing spots. The Jaguars rank last in the NFL in sacks with eight, as Travon Walker has battled a wrist injury, and the depth behind Walker and Josh Hines-Allen has struggled to make an impact. After a hot start to the season, Jacksonville has dropped two straight and sits at 4-3. The team is looking to regain momentum before the deadline, and Phillips could provide the spark they need.
General manager James Gladstone has opened cap space by restructuring contracts for Dyami Brown, Walker Little, and newly acquired cornerback Greg Newsome. These financial moves show that Jacksonville is clearly looking to make a trade before the deadline, which is expected for a defensive player. Following these moves, the Jaguars now have around $12 million in room and could make a splash by attaining Phillips to fix their pass rush.
Jacksonville holds 12 picks in the 2026 draft, including three third-rounders and two fourths. If the Jaguars determine that edge rusher is their top priority, they could offer one of their fourth-round selections to the Dolphins for Phillips. While they are the least likely of these five teams to land him, the fit makes sense if Jacksonville wants to reignite its defensive front.
