The NFL season is just getting underway, but speculation around the trade deadline is already heating up. ESPN analyst Dan Graziano recently outlined some potential moves teams could make by November, and while he didn’t directly name the Detroit Lions as a buyer, he did note they’re one of the few teams with the financial flexibility to make impactful additions.
Among the players he highlighted, one stands out as a possible fit for Detroit: Miami Dolphins edge rusher Jaelan Phillips.
Why Phillips Could Be on the Market
The Dolphins have stumbled out of the gate with an 0-3 start, and pressure is mounting on head coach Mike McDaniel. Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa’s struggles haven’t helped either, and with the team trending toward a possible rebuild, Miami may consider moving on from some of its assets. Phillips, a former first-round pick, could be one of them.
Injuries have been a hurdle for the 18th-overall selection in 2021. He tore his Achilles in 2023 and later missed the 2024 season with a knee injury. Still, when healthy, his production has been undeniable—he’s already logged two double-digit sack campaigns and was tracking toward a third before the Achilles setback. While he hasn’t notched a sack through three games this year, he has generated nine pressures, ranking him among the league’s top six edge defenders in that category.
Why the Lions Make Sense
For general manager Brad Holmes, a deal for Phillips would come with limited financial and long-term risk. The pass rusher is currently playing on his fifth-year option, meaning Detroit would owe him just over $7 million for the remainder of 2025. If the experiment doesn’t pan out, they can walk away without strings attached.
Given Phillips’ recent injuries and the Dolphins’ potential shift toward rebuilding, the Lions might be able to acquire him for a relatively modest price—possibly as low as a 2026 fifth-round draft pick.
Adding to the intrigue, Detroit already got a close look at Phillips during joint practices this past summer. That firsthand exposure gives them a better sense of what he could bring to their defensive front.
Between the affordable contract, the manageable trade cost, and the potential upside, Phillips is a name worth monitoring as the deadline approaches.
