Jaelan Phillips, DE, Miami

The good thing about picking for the worst team in the league is that discussion for what that team should do at one is had by everyone at some point in the offseason, usually right before they drop their scorching hot take about how their team should trade up to two. The good thing about picking for that same team later in the round is the freedom. At this point in the draft, there are plenty of similarly rated prospects that would improve that team. The Jags are that team, and they have a lot of room for improvement.

Pictured above: Struggle.

The Jags suck, but you already know that. Or you could have just assumed it. Either is fine. What I’m getting to is that it would be pretty difficult to mess up this pick. My job here is to go inside the mind of Jags GM Trent Baalke and find a way to make a wrong pick here anyway. Let’s take a moment to learn more about Trent Baalke’s tenure at San Francisco. Per Niners Wire:

Inside linebacker is one example. Sure, the retirements of Patrick Willis and Chris Borland were tough to predict. But had two drafts to make adjustments in that department and hasn’t.

Wide receiver is another Baalke black hole on San Francisco’s roster. The 49ers struggles to find quality receivers have been well-documented since the team was throwing to Brett Swain in the 2011 playoffs. Their only real attempt to land a big-time, number one receiver was AJ Jenkins in 2012. We all know how that turned out.

Inside linebacker is one example. Sure, the retirements of Patrick Willis and Chris Borland were tough to predict. But had two drafts to make adjustments in that department and hasn’t.

Wide receiver is another Baalke black hole on San Francisco’s roster. The 49ers struggles to find quality receivers have been well-documented since the team was throwing to Brett Swain in the 2011 playoffs. Their only real attempt to land a big-time, number one receiver was AJ Jenkins in 2012. We all know how that turned out.

Sounds like a Super Bowl winner to me.

He’s working alongside Urban Meyer, who P.X. Minimus already introduced you to. Pinimus secured the Jags QBotF, so let’s work on the defense because getting protection your QB is lame (and PFF has said that this draft has “unprecedented depth” at the OL position anyway). Instead, I want to get someone that will emulate the speed and aggression Urban Meyer has had on his defenses in college. Trevon Moehrig would be an interesting choice here, but since he went to a Christian school, he might have too many good morals that could go against Meyer’s anti-snitch policy, and only star QBs are worth that possibility I think he’ll be there at 33. Instead, I’m going with Jaelan Phillips from the U.

Some people may question the choice to take an edge rusher in the first round for the Jags 333rd year in a row. My response is that you are thinking wrong because you can never have enough edge rushers, and you should feel bad. You also must consider that the Jags were 31st in sacks per game, and once Josh Allen’s knee forced him out for the season, the Jags had nobody there to pick up the slack.

So, what makes Jaelen Phillips the correct pick here? Simple: I believe he has potential that can not be overlooked at this spot. He has the raw athleticism, length, and explosiveness that makes him arguably one of the best athletes in this draft.

Elite traits for the position — great height, weight distribution and wingspan (80 3/4 inches). He had a very impressive pro day, running a 4.57-second 40-yard dash (with a great 10-yard split: 1.59), 36-inch vertical jump, 125-inch broad jump, 4.18-second short shuttle and 7.13-second 3-cone drill. He moves well in every direction and is fundamentally sound. He’s has shown to be a solid run defender, which was another major area of weakness for the Jags.

There are some legitimate injury concerns though. Sprained ankles, concussions, and a moped accident cause some hesitation. He also spent most of his breakout season going up against right tackles and had a relatively low pressure percentage. However, I think with the correct coaching and experience working the opposite side of Josh Allen, Phillips will unlock more and more of his potential as a pass rusher. He has the skillset needed to come in and make an immediate impact for the Jaguars, and I believe that he is worth the risk.

Why Phillips over his contemporaries? Because gambling is fun. If that’s not good enough, then let’s briefly go over reasons: I think Edge rusher is better value here than any of the defensive tackles because I’m more impressed with the DE’s left on the board than any of the interior players. I believe Phillips is more all-around and an overall better player than the rest of the EDGE prospects, including Gregory Rosseau, Kwity Paye, and Jayson Oweh. Phillips is not as scheme-limited and stiff as Paye. He is a better athlete than Ossai. Olujari is pretty good, but I think Phillips size puts him over (I did not look to see if any of these players were gone already, please @ me on the discord for arguments).

All in all, Phillips intrigues me the most for the Jags here, and I think working with the Ravens former D-Line coach and current Jags defensive coordinator Joe Cullen will tighten his game up and help him not only become an immediate contributor but also become the best Edge rusher from this class.

SN (Snax Note): I initially skipped the comparing to other players part because they all have oddly spelled names and I had to keep looking back to other tabs.

2021 BGN Mock Draft Order

1) Jaguars (Phoenix X Minimus): QB Trevor Lawrence
2) Jets (eagles.north.of.the.border): QB Zach Wilson
3) 49ers (I Need a Username): QB Trey Lance
4) Falcons (chewy wellington): OT Penei Sewell
5) Bengals (Dr_Horrible): WR Ja’Marr Chase
6) Dolphins (20Safety_Hazard): TE Kyle Pitts
7) Lions (drc242): WR DeVonta Smith
8) Panthers (wildcatlh): QB Justin Fields
9) Broncos (ItownBallers22): CB Patrick Surtain II
10) Cowboys (Kephas): OT Rashawn Slater
11) Giants (Billmington): WR Jaylen Waddle
12) Eagles (ablesser88): CB Jaycee Horn
13) Chargers (Georgia_eagle): LB Micah Parsons
14) Vikings (Philliesandthebees): OT Alijah Vera-Tucker
15) Patriots (SakPrescott): QB Mac Jones
16) Cardinals (Carson Wentzs ACL): CB Greg Newsome II
17) Raiders (dshelton5): LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah
18) Dolphins (J. Wil): DE Kwity Paye
19) Football Team (Negadelphia Norm): LB Nick Bolton
20) Bears (Happy24): CB Caleb Farley
21) Colts (Fly Like An Eagle): OT Christian Darrisaw
22) Titans (Friendly Neighborhood Philly Fan): LB Zaven Collins
23) Jets (Asap Stocky): OT Teven Jenkins
24) Steelers (Gregnado): OT Samuel Cosmi
25) Jaguars (“Snax”): DE Jaelen Phillips
26) Browns (gerouxman1956):
27) Ravens (Brendanekstrom):
28) Saints (grantspectations):
29) Packers (Philly_Philly):
30) Bills (doublefry):
31) Chiefs (Leo Bedio):
32) Buccaneers (phuckdallas):

Now it’s time for you to vote for who YOU think should be selected in the 2021 BGN Community Consensus Mock Draft.

1) Jaguars: QB Trevor Lawrence
2) Jets: QB Zach Wilson:
3) 49ers: QB Justin Fields
4) Falcons: OT Penei Sewell
5) Bengals: WR Ja’Marr Chase
6) Dolphins: TE Kyle Pitts
7) Lions: WR DeVonta Smith
8) Panthers: OT Rashawn Slater
9) Broncos: QB Trey Lance
10) Cowboys: CB Patrick Surtain II
11) Giants: LB Micah Parsons
12) Eagles: WR Jaylen Waddle
13) Chargers: CB Jaycee Horn
14) Vikings: OT Alijah Vera-Tucker
15) Patriots: QB Mac Jones
16) Cardinals: CB Caleb Farley
17) Raiders: LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah
18) Dolphins: RB Najee Harris
19) Football Team: OT Christian Darrisaw
20) Bears: OT Teven Jenkins
21) Colts: DE Kwity Paye
22) Titans: CB Greg Newsome II
23) Jets: OT Samuel Cosmi
24) Steelers: RB Travis Etienne
25) Jaguars: