In October of 2018, general manager Brandon Beane and the Buffalo Bills claimed Jordan Phillips after he was waived by the Miami Dolphins. Phillips immediately slotted in and performed decently well. In the following offseason, he saw fit to re-sign with the team on a one-year prove-it deal. The veteran was able to breakout during the 2019 season, finishing with 9.5 sacks and now will be looking for a long-term contract. If so, the team may look to move on from the potentially pricey defensive tackle and to fully replace him they could look towards the 2020 NFL Draft. Below are some options in the draft that could make sense for the team in replacing Phillips.
Tier I
Derrick Brown (Auburn)
Javon Kinlaw (South Carolina)
Justin Madubuike (Texas A&M)
Brown is head-and-shoulders the best, most accomplished and versatile defensive tackle in the draft. Despite being 6’5” and 318 lbs, Brown has the body type to be effective at any position along the interior of the defensive line. Not only is Kinlaw quick, he’s surprisingly strong for a pure 3-tech tackle. He’s going to be riser after the Combine. Madubuike was a big riser this season, thanks to ten tackles-for-loss, 5.5 sacks and three forced fumbles.
Tier II
Raekwon Davis (Alabama)
Neville Gallimore (Oklahoma)
Almost the opposite of Madubuike, Davis stuck around at Alabama until his senior season, but became a draft faller after he never really improved and capitalized on his massive size and strength. Gallimore has great initial quickness and he really works well on games and stunts up front, but he doesn’t have the length and production you want as more hyped players.
Tier III
Larrell Murchison (N.C. State)
Ross Blacklock (TCU)
Nick Coe (Auburn)
Jason Strowbridge (UNC)
A Senior Bowl invitee, Murchison is a smaller defensive tackle who was completely used incorrectly in NC State’s system. Blacklock has suffered some injuries and hasn’t developed his potential much, but he could represent a good developmental prospect for teams that miss out on some of the above prospects. He worked as an oversized edge rusher, but an NFL team would be smart to push Coe inside, and develop and tap his potential there. Strowbridge is one of the most inconsistent players at his position, but a good Senior Bowl could establish him as a post-season riser.
Next Read
- All-22 Analysis: Jordan Phillips had a very good 2019
- Contract projection for Jordan Phillips seems pretty big
- Bills don’t have an in-house replacement for Jordan Phillips
- Free agency options to replace Jordan Phillips at 3-tech
- The Bills could draft their next 3-tech rotational tackle
- Opinion: Why I wouldn’t re-sign Jordan Phillips