The Miami Dolphins finally got their first win of the 2025 season in Week 4.
The team hosted the New York Jets and ended up escaping with a 27-21 win. It likely felt great to get that first win, but the Dolphins should be realistic about their prospects.
The Dolphins play in the AFC East with the undefeated Buffalo Bills, and even the New England Patriots look much improved. There’s probably not a realistic chance for the Dolphins to make the playoffs this year, especially after losing star wide receiver Tyreek Hill for the year.
If the Dolphins decide to sell ahead of the trade deadline, they have several players who should be of interest to competing teams. One of these players is edge rusher Jaelan Phillips.
Phillips is a former first-round pick who is set to test free agency after the season. The Miami product had a strong start to his career, but injuries have derailed him.
Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report identified the San Francisco 49ers and Cleveland Browns as logical landing spots for Phillips. Regarding compensation, Knox suggested a conditional fourth-round pick and/or a wide receiver.
Phillips may not have a huge place in Miami’s long-term plans, though—he’s playing on the fifth-year option now—because injuries have impacted his last two campaigns.
He did record 22 sacks over his first 42 games, and he should interest teams looking for a younger pass-rusher in whom to invest. The Dolphins should see if they can flip him to a team with a receiver to spare.
Miami star receiver Tyreek Hill was carted off on Thursday night with what appeared to be a significant knee injury.
As Knox mentioned, it doesn’t seem like Phillips is in Miami’s long-term plans. The team has Chop Robinson, Bradley Chubb and Matthew Judon still on the roster, so the pass-rush should still be able to survive without Phillips.
Also, with the Hill injury, the team could use some help at the receiver spot. The 49ers wouldn’t trade their top receivers for Phillips, but they may be willing to give up one of Marquez Valdes-Scantling or Kendrick Bourne plus a conditional pick.
The 49ers have only collected five sacks this season and Nick Bosa is out for the year, so adding some juice on the edge could definitely be of interest.
For the Browns, the fit is a little more questionable.
The Browns figure to be sellers just like the Dolphins, so it’s probably not likely they’d want to swing a trade like this. However, if the Browns feel like they can lock Phillips up long term, it may be reasonable.
The Browns don’t have an obvious receiver to trade away. Jerry Jeudy and Cedric Tillman wouldn’t be included, so the team would have to see if the Dolphins are interested in 2025 UDFA Isaiah Bond or Jamari Thrash.
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