Jordan Phillips 2015 NFL Draft scouting report

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Jordan Phillips

• Position: Edge Setter/Gap Clogger (ES/GC)
  
• Class: Sophomore (redshirt)
  
• College: Oklahoma
  
• Ht/Wt: 6'5", 329 pounds
  

Scouting Report

Jordan Phillips is such a physically impressive defensive tackle. He has a rare combination of looming size (including nearly 35-inch long arms) and movement skills. In his short career at Oklahoma, he was capable of dominating whole games in both the run and the pass. Whether or not he can do that consistently in the NFL is the question that will set his draft position.

Phillips has a stout anchor and can hold his position in the run game, even against a double team. He uses his arms well to slide off of a block and make a tackle if a running back nears him. If he's not engaged, he moves very well in space. He's capable of running down a running back 10-15 yards downfield to make a tackle, and he navigates space in the backfield very effectively.

His pass rush is a work in progress, but it flashes serious potential. His swim move is effective, and he does a great job bulling between two linemen for a tackle. When he attempts to rush against a lineman one-on-one, however, he's often thwarted by better technique. His bull rush either works right away, or he stalls. If Phillips' pass rush attempts don't work, he starts trying to get his hands in passing lanes, which I like. He sometimes plays too high (a common trait with taller defensive linemen), which causes him to lose out in strength battles. While he has long arms, if he lets an opponent into his chest, he's neutralized. He also tends to play with an inconsistent motor; it's not that he takes some plays off, but he seems to get fatigued or lack creativity on some plays more than others.

Grade

If Phillips improves his technique and is capable of playing at the same intensity on every down, there's no reason why he can't be a Pro Bowl defensive tackle. He's already comfortable as a nose tackle, but has the size and agility to handle any spot between the zero and five technique on the defensive line. For him to be an impact player, though, he needs to become a better pass rusher. Given the question marks there, I have him graded as a late first-round or early second-round type of player.