Would Bucs Roll Dice On Damaged Goods?
April 27th, 2021
Miami DE Jaelan Phillips.
This could be a brilliant move. Or it could be Da’Quan Bowers 2.0.
That would be the Bucs drafting Miami pass rusher Jaelen Phillips. Like another big-name ACC pass rusher, Phillip has a lot in common with Bowers, the former pass-rushing specialist and guitar-strumming, pistol-packing Bucs bust out of Clemson.
Bowers had a bad knee. But in the second round, former Bucs rock star general manager Mark Dominik played Russian Roulette and picked Bowers. Problem for Dominik was the final chamber happened to be the lone loaded chamber.
Yes, Phillips is a damn good and a gifted edge rusher. But he is no stranger to injuries. In fact, he sat out a full year of football because of concussions and then transferred from UCLA to Miami.
Joe’s good friend Mike Tanier of Pro Football Network believes the chance for Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht to have a transformative pass rush will be too much of a lure to ignore.
32. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jaelan Phillips, EDGE, Miami FL
What do you give Super Bowl champions who have everything? How about even more edge-rush help! Jaelan Phillips has some exceptional pass-rush moves and tested as a superhero at Miami’s Pro Day. His concussion history is a major concern, but the Buccaneers have so much depth at the edge that they can manage Phillips’ playing time.
If Tom Brady seems a little more creaky, it won’t matter, because the opposing quarterback will be too busy picking clumps of dirt from his facemask to notice.
Joe gets what Tanier is suggesting, but man, having to sit out a full season because of concussions is a major, major red flag. All it takes is just one hit. Could be in training camp, could be in preseason, could be in a game, and bam, Phillips is out for the year or maybe for good.
How much of a gambler is Licht?
April 27th, 2021 at 8:04 am
Not I ….
April 27th, 2021 at 8:08 am
Nah. Gimme a QB to develop behind Tom. Draft Kellen Mond.
April 27th, 2021 at 8:10 am
If he’s that good he will be drafted, but with concussions the way they are in the NFL with the seriousness and liability/PR nightmare inherent with it.. I say he drops to round 3 or later
April 27th, 2021 at 8:12 am
We’ve got damaged goods at Edge Rusher right now…..JPP…….works for him……but it’s all a crap shoot….
There are too many healthy prospects….pass.
April 27th, 2021 at 8:13 am
Not too many “sure-fire” edge rushers in this draft and a LOT of question marks. Not at #32, IMO.
April 27th, 2021 at 8:23 am
If he has bendy levers, I’d pound the table & hitch my wagon to him
April 27th, 2021 at 8:29 am
If it was a history of any type of injury other than a concussion I would be willing to gamble. IMO concussions are not something you hope to overcome. When a player has prone to getting concussed it only seems to grow worse the more they play. Pass please
April 27th, 2021 at 8:36 am
The concussions could have been more bad technique than medical.
He made it through the year at Miami fine.
April 27th, 2021 at 8:36 am
Concussions often don’t heal completely. It is a cumulative injury. Then later it’s CTE. NFL is a lot tougher than the Pac 12.
April 27th, 2021 at 8:37 am
Bowers had other issues besides injuries! He played poorly vs top teams in the ACC and accumulated most of his sacks vs Duke, Wake Forest and NC State which were the 3 worst teams at the time. I havent done a deep dive into Phillips as to how he played vs other good OTs (ie- Clemson) but I would be hesitant to take Phillips if there are still other starter quality DEs or LBs on the board late first round. To me, Phillips should only be considered with our second round pick!
April 27th, 2021 at 8:40 am
nawl….
c.baremore @ #32 or trade down…
GO BUCS!!!
April 27th, 2021 at 8:47 am
Don’t we always ? Jack Cichy, Kendall Beckwith, et al
April 27th, 2021 at 8:50 am
“Buccaneers have so much depth at the edge that they can manage Phillips’ playing time.”…..
Depth??? Please show me the depth because I can’t see it…you have two VERY good players JPP and Shaq…..and then???? If one of this two goes down who is next?
Defense is where GM should go this draft, specially on a very good pass rusher, I can’t imagine JPP playing ahead of this year…..
April 27th, 2021 at 8:54 am
UCLA doctors wouldn’t clear him to play.Period.
But due to his outstanding talent most mocks have him going before #32.
April 27th, 2021 at 8:57 am
I think the smart move is to either draft a high upside position….that would QB or DE. Or go with what Licht has shown ability to draft well…OL, LBs, WRs, TEs. I think RB, CB are developmental positions, we can snag them in rds 2-4.
April 27th, 2021 at 9:04 am
If he falls to the mid second round, I would consider trading up for him but not at #32.
April 27th, 2021 at 9:19 am
pass
April 27th, 2021 at 9:19 am
You would think the Canes had the best pass rush in all of college football with two edge rushers looking to get drafted in the first round this year. So why didn’t they? I know! Both of their guys are over rated. Their defense actually sucked. Something doesn’t add up, and it’s their scary not so good edge rushers.
April 27th, 2021 at 9:24 am
Unlike Bowers, Phillips is by far the best pass rusher in the draft. If he falls all the way to to 32, you absolutely have to take him.
Dalvin Cook had 3 major surgeries and numerous soft tissue injuries and that didnt stop you from wanting him. If you can ball you can ball.
April 27th, 2021 at 9:31 am
Hard pass in the 1st two rounds, if he’s there at the end of the 3rd or maybe move up in the 3rd, I’d be ok with that risk
April 27th, 2021 at 9:37 am
He’ll be gone before 32, and it’s mistake. That injury history is way too scary to invest in a 1st rnd pick. Concussion history? Stay away!
April 27th, 2021 at 9:39 am
No thanks. Durability is a major factor in today’s NFL
April 27th, 2021 at 9:44 am
I’d take him in the 3rd round. That’s how seriously I take the concussion history. He’s one hit away from a career ending head injury.
April 27th, 2021 at 9:48 am
Not unless it’s in the 5th or 6th round. Otherwise too much risk with the concussion history. Please stay away from this guy Licht.
April 27th, 2021 at 9:48 am
At least Cichy was a throwaway sixth-round pick.
April 27th, 2021 at 10:26 am
Bowers…rousseau and phillips have big time bust potential. Stay away!
April 27th, 2021 at 10:40 am
Not only would I take him, but I would trade up to the mid twenties if he’s still on the board to take him.
April 27th, 2021 at 10:40 am
Hell no. I think Jason Licht has learned his lesson with that. If you want to roll the dice with damaged goods and do it fourth round or later. The first three rounds should consistently build your foundation and that is what he has done the last few years in the draft
April 27th, 2021 at 10:46 am
Ah No… damaged goods, look for a diamond in the ruff or future QB at #32
April 27th, 2021 at 11:09 am
Irresponsible to pick a guy with that many serious concussions.
I don’t believe he should even be medically cleared to play in college, let alone the NFL.
April 27th, 2021 at 12:07 pm
I watched a special on this guy, wondering why they keep saying he sat out a year due to concussions. In his interview, he mentioned he had a lot of tissue injuires, not specifically concussions, which started to take their toll on him. He wasnt enjoying football due to the injuires, was not having fun with the rehabs, and as a result started to drift from the sport and become more involved in music. I think if teams do their homework and it checks out he could be a steal. Phillips indicated once he was back healthy he loved playing the game.
April 27th, 2021 at 12:09 pm
If the concussions are legit then I would say pass. He would be smart to retire if they persist.
April 27th, 2021 at 12:33 pm
If he can’t help this season, do not do it. One hard hit and he is likely gone for the season.
April 27th, 2021 at 5:44 pm
What Ben said…
April 27th, 2021 at 9:09 pm
Idk, there is probably nobody at 32 that would have the upside of Phillips if available. He is worth the risk imo. Not like he has to come in and play 100% of snaps. The beauty of returning all 22 starters is that u can swing for the fences, so why not take a shot?
April 27th, 2021 at 9:19 pm
Wrong damaged goods. Trade up if the CB slips to the 20s
April 27th, 2021 at 9:25 pm
Plus didnt he miss 2019? He played all last season lol. Is it a concern? Sure, but he has a year of football under his belt since. The whole “next hit could be his last” mentality is a bit dramatic
April 28th, 2021 at 6:20 am
It’s a gamble but I remember when a gamble like that paid off huge in #99 Happy Sappy
April 29th, 2021 at 12:20 am
this kid will get drafted before the bucs pick. He is top 10 talent. His medical will scare some but not all. If he did fall the bucs should take him