The Miami Dolphins are not exactly off to a hot start to the season, currently lying at the bottom of the AFC East with an 0-3 record and a -41 point differential heading into week 4.
One area of significant strength for the Dolphins – amidst many areas that could use a lot of upgrading – is in on the defensive line, particularly on the exterior.
The team boasts the likes of Zach Sieler and rookie first round pick, Kenneth Grant, at defensive tackle, whilst the outside linebacker/edge rushing corps currently houses three former first round picks – Chop Robinson, Jaelan Phillips and Bradley Chubb – all of whom have demonstrated either proven production or substantial promise in the league.
In addition the team also signed 4 x Pro Bowler, Matt Judon, to the active roster last month. Whilst Judon is not the elite player he was a couple of seasons ago, he still managed a reasonable 5.5 sacks for the Falcons in 2024, and projects as one of the better backup/rotational rushers in the league.
Trade Proposal Has The Dolphins Make A Deal With The New York Jets
So given the team’s poor fortunes and but immense strength and depth at perhaps the most coveted position in football – after the quarterback – it would make sense that trade projections have come out suggesting that the Dolphins move off one of their top pass rushers in exchange for some additional draft capital in 2026.
This most recent suggestion has come from Alex Kay of Bleacher Report, who puts forward a hypothetical in-division trade sending Phillips to the also-winless New York Jets for the price of a fourth round pick.
Trading for Jaelan Phillips could help the Jets find some stability.” Kay writes, “Although the Miami Dolphins‘ 2021 first-rounder has had issues with consistency and injuries during his brief tenure in the pros, he’s currently healthy and possesses undeniable upside…Phillips may cost more than a late-round pick swap, but his upside is worth it.”
Would The Dolphins Trade Jaelan Phillips To The Jets For A Mid-Round Pick?
Phillips is currently playing under the fifth year option of his rookie contract, something that is not vastly common for talented, ex-first round edge rushers.
But the former University of Miami man is not an ordinary case. Two relatively strong first years in the league gave way to a break-out third season that saw the Dolphin put up 6.5 sacks in his first 8 games before suffering a torn Achilles in November that prematurely ended his promising campaign.
Indeed, the very next year Phillips suffered an equally brutal fate, tearing his ACL in week 4 of the 2024 season.
So the question is whether New York or any other team are willing to look past his blotted injury history and roll the dice on a clearly high-level talent. Any team willing to trade for the former All-Rookie would also likely need to have a new contract in mind for the 26 year-old – unless injury or very poor form strike.
A fourth rounder is perhaps a little low for a talented player at a premium position, but if he is ultimately traded away, the Dolphins receiving much more than a third rounder in 2026 would certainly be a little surprising.
Dolphins Prompted To Trade Ex 1st Rounder To Division Rivals