Browns Draft: Jaelan Phillips should be the pick if he’s on the board

The Browns have a few choices to make come the NFL Draft of 2021, but if Jaelan Phillips is still there, then there should be no debate.

The Browns have rebuilt their defense in the 2021 offseason. First by signing some major talent in the backend of the defense to secure the secondary. Then they went out and swapped out pieces on the defensive line with a few guys with something to prove. Then they got a high-volume tackler at linebacker who could fit well, in theory, in a Joe Woods-defense. Yet, outside of safety John Johnson and cornerback Troy Hill, everyone else on the defense is “wait and see” signings. That’s why the Browns need to make a splash on defense and Jaelan Phillips is that guy.

Out of Miami, he and his linemate Gregory Rousseau are both, tentatively, scheduled to be first-round picks. That could always change, but right now many seem very high on Phillips. He’s long at 6’5 and by no means a lightweight at 266. He’s described as “scheme versatile” by SI’s FanNation.

Phillips isn’t a completed player as there are some questions; like how is he against the rush? Like a high-volume scorer with no defensive skills in the NBA, if your defensive linemen can’t play both the rush and pash equally, then he becomes a liability. It’s ok if you have a guy like Porter Gustin, who’s better against the run than the pass because he’s undrafted. It’s a different scenario completely if you’re taking someone in the first round.

Phillips doesn’t have the gaudiest of stats, only eight sacks this year, and 4.5 over his prior two other seasons but there is potential there. The draft is a crapshoot and there is no guarantee. Phillips is the best prospect on paper expected to be there that late in the draft and the Browns shouldn’t hesitate to take him.