The 1-6 Miami Dolphins are enduring a nightmare season. A full-blown rebuild will probably arrive in the offseason. Before then, the Dolphins should be aggressive sellers at the upcoming trade deadline (Nov. 4). EDGE Jaelan Phillips is arguably their biggest bargaining chip.
Phillips is in the final campaign of his initial four-year rookie contract. The Dolphins exercised his fifth-year option, meaning he's under contract through 2026 at a team-friendly, fully guaranteed $13.2 million. Having control over Phillips' rookie deal for another year makes him a particularly intriguing asset at the deadline.
The Dolphins require additional draft capital to help accelerate the rebuild, even if Chris Grier and Mike McDaniel aren't around next season to see it through. Teams are always searching for pass-rushing help at the deadline, and Phillips has registered two sacks and 22 pressures this year. We've identified three potential landing spots for Phillips via trade.
San Francisco 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers have been pondering pass-rush help since losing Nick Bosa to a season-ending injury. Defensive coordinator Robert Saleh has struggled to piece together a cohesive pass rush ever since. The 49ers' defense currently ranks 30th in sacks with just nine in seven games. Veteran Bryce Huff leads the team in sacks with four. His teammates are ill-equipped to help him.
First-round rookie Mykel Williams has registered one sack. Williams was always a raw talent coming out of Georgia that required time to acclimate. Veteran undrafted free agent Sam Okuayinonu is playing too much, and Yetur Gross-Matos has been banged up. Phillips would help this defense in a major way.
Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears are a competitive 4-2. They're in playoff contention alongside the Green Bay Packers (4-1-1) and Detroit Lions (5-2) in a super-competitive NFC North division. The Ben Johnson bump has been real and immediate, with sophomore quarterback Caleb Williams playing well under his tutelage.
The defense remains a work in progress, though. The Bears have recorded 12.0 sacks, producing more QB takedowns than just seven other defenses. Dennis Allen's unit is allowing a 25th-ranked 25.8 points per contest. They'd possess a higher ceiling if they paired Montez Sweat with another impactful edge rusher. Phillips would quickly contend for snaps with Dayo Odeyingbo.
Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions' defense finds itself in familiar territory this season. Aidan Hutchinson is terrorising opposing quarterbacks, and the depth behind him is questionable. Al-Quadin Muhammad is actually outperforming expectations with five sacks, but the Lions probably shouldn't rely on that being his consistent output. Marcus Davenport is on IR, and no other pass rusher on the roster is doing anything of significance.
Lions general manager Brad Holmes acquired Za'Darius Smith near the trade deadline last season. A similar move for veteran pass-rush help feels likely at this year's deadline. The Lions are annually in Super-Bowl-or-bust mode. Acquiring a difference maker like Phillips would increase their chances. With Phillips also being under contract through 2026, he could be a long-term solution opposite Hutchinson.