Ranking and grading each Browns player from the 2020 NFL Draft

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BEREA, OHIO – AUGUST 29: Linebacker Jacob Phillips #50 of the Cleveland Browns works out during training camp at the Browns training facility on August 29, 2020 in Berea, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /

6. LB Jacob Phillips – No. 50

Drafted: Round 3, Pick 97
2020 PFF: 45.3
2020 Stats: nine games, three starts, 25 combined tackles, one for a loss
2021 PFF: 62.7
2020 Stats: four games, one start, 17 combined tackles, two for a loss
Grade: D
Career stats: 13 games, four starts, 42 combined tackles, three for a loss, 4 pass deflections

Jacob Phillips, like Jordan Elliot, was expected to challenge for a starting job early in his career. That’s one big reason why he gets a D. Injuries and guys ahead of him on the depth chart limited his opportunities, giving him about 20% of snaps on defense through his first three games played.

In his fourth game, the season-finale against the Bengals, he had the best game of his career. He had nine total tackles, two for a loss, one sack, one QB hit, one pass deflection, and all while playing 85% of defensive snaps.

If he had games like that more often, he’d be a much more vaunted prospect. That’s just it, we really can’t give him a better grade. Being available is just as important as what you do when you’re called upon and right now Phillips is struggling to get on the field. He’s only played in 39% of possible games, and rarely plays more than 20% of the defense’s snaps.

Yet, when given the chance to do so, as he did in 2021 against the Bengals and in the 2020 finale against the Steelers, he’s shown big-play potential.

He’s gotta stay healthy and take advantage of the moments he gets. So right now he gets a D as a prospect simply because his injuries have made him unreliable game to game and when he is healthy, he’s not consistent.

That said, there’s potential. I want to see him for a full season before we pass on him.

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