Dolphins' selection of DL Jordan Phillips ranked among best picks in 2025 NFL Draft

Ahmed Ghafir
Apr 30
2 min read

Maryland football set a program record over the weekend after six players heard their names called in the 2025 NFL Draft, the most in the modern draft era and since 1988. Tai Felton was first off the board after becoming the last selection on day two where he joins Justin Jefferson and fellow DMV native Jordan Addison in Minnesota, but it was one of the day three selections who ESPN recognized on Wednesday.

DT Jordan Phillips, who was selected by the Miami Dolphins with the 143rd overall pick in the fifth round, was named the 81st-best selection in the 2025 NFL Draft. ESPN noted that the former Maryland star “has the first-step quickness to slide into that role and flourish” with Christian Wilkins no longer in Miami.

“The Dolphins desperately needed reinforcements to their defensive line and take another tackle with the 6-foot-2, 312-pound Phillips,” ESPN wrote in their pick analysis. “He's a former high school wrestler and weightlifter who should help anchor Miami's defensive line whenever he gets on the field. He hasn't shown much as a pass rusher, but at just 20 years old, he is an obvious developmental piece for a team that prides itself on coaching up defensive linemen. Rotating with first-round pick Kenneth Grant, Phillips should exhaust opposing offensive lines over the course of a game.

Phillips is one of two Terps in Miami after safety Dante Trader Jr. came off the board just 12 picks, leading head coach Mike McDaniel to note the incoming “Terp Takeover” on the Dolphins’ roster.

“And those guys and Locksley, Mike, I’ve known him a long time. He does a great job there finding players and Maryland kids end up playing in this league and are good football players,” general manager Chris Greir said when recapping day three. “He finds those guys that love ball. They’re tough, competitive and so glad to have those two. They’re really good, quality people and good football players.”

Phillips became the first defensive lineman drafted out of the program since Byron Cowart in 2019, recorded 58 tackles and three tackles for loss in two years at Maryland. Following the end of 2024, Phillips was invited to the East-West Shrine game when walked away among the best prospects in attendance with the hardware and praise to back it up.

"It became extremely evident that Maryland defensive tackle Jordan Phillips is the best player on the field for the East squad. Not only that, but he’s likely the best player here in general. I came into the event already high on Phillips. I have a higher grade on Phillips than on Kenneth Grant and Ole Miss’ Walter Nolen," Cory Kinnan said of Phillips at the East-West Shrine Game.

Related Links