By Barry Jackson
What analysts are saying about the Dolphins’ three fifth-round selections on Saturday afternoon:
MARYLAND DEFENSIVE TACKLE JORDAN PHILLIPS
He didn’t have a sack, and just three tackles for loss, in 28 games for Tennessee and Maryland. He played three games as a freshman at Tennessee and then transferred to Maryland, where he had 28 and 29 tackles the past two seasons. The 6-2, 312-pounder started 12 games last season.
He played nose tackle at Maryland but can play other spots on the defensive line. That’s also the same with first-round pick Kenneth Grant, who projects best as a nose tackle but also can play other spots on the line.
The reaction on Phillips:
▪ ESPN’s Field Yates: “He played 26 snaps as a true freshman at Tennessee, transferred for his final two years at Maryland. Rare to hear a defensive lineman being drafted without a career college sack. He’s got two sledgehammer hands. He played mostly as a nose tackle for Maryland. It’s about the quickness, the shock and violence and his hands. He had 11 tackles as a nose tackle against Iowa; you don’t see that very often.”
▪ ESPN’s Matt Miller: “Former wrestler. I was shocked by the first step quickness. It did make me think, I would love to play him as a three point technique instead of the nose tackle position he played so much at Maryland. Kenneth Grant will play over the center. I would like to see Jordan Phillips in B gaps to attack the quarterback. Very good short area quickness, even if we didn’t see it result in sacks.”
Such a position shift would allow him to play alongside Grant and Zach Sieler. Grant also has position versatility, per Dolphins general manager Chris Grier.
▪ NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein calls Phillips a “powerful nose tackle known for his work ethic and leadership. Phillips is compact and explosive at the point but is inconsistent at controlling blocks quickly enough as a read-and-react defender. He can be quick off the snap but lacks fluidity and tends to get sealed by move blocks. In general, he’s gap-sound and can be hard for blockers to finish. He has yet to display he can provide pass-rush production, so he will need to prove he can at least be a run plugger in the pros.”
▪ NFL Net’s Daniel Jeremiah: “He reminds me a little bit of of [115-game NFL starter] Jevon Hargrave. In terms of big strong lower body. Has a wide four-point stance. Violent hands, violent swing move. Pure bull rush. Not a lot of polish to his game. Not a lot of power to his game.”
▪ NFL Net’s Charles Davis: “You see power and quick jump around to get into the backfield.”
FLORIDA CORNERBACK JASON MARSHALL JR. at 150
Here’s my story about him, with reaction.
MARYLAND SAFETY DANTE TRADER JR. AT 155
Trades had 190 tackles (three for loss), five interceptions, 15 passes defended and one forced fumble in four years with the Terrapins.
Last season the 6-0 Trader had 59 tackles, an interception and four passes defended in 10 games, missing two with an injury.
▪ ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr.: “He was a physical presence for the Maryland Terrapins in that secondary. Not physically imposing but plays a physical brand of football and he does a great job reading the quarterback, breaking on the ball, driving on the football. He lacks awesome physical traits but second on team in tackles. Fifth ranked player coming out of high school in 2021 in lacrosse. He’s an athlete. Had a really good year for the Terrapins. Big time striking ability. Big range in coverage.”
▪ ESPN’s Matt Miller: “Why is he here? He ran 4.65 in the 40 at the Maryland pro day. That’s why he’s here. Plays with natural instincts. It doesn’t always stand out in terms of height, speed, length. Playmaking ability is there. Three-year starter. He can play deep safety role and can play in the box. He’s going to have an opportunity to climb this depth chart.”
▪ NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein calls Trader a “dual-sport athlete whose film shows off plus instincts but average consistency. Trader is a versatile cover safety capable of lining up at nickel, playing single-high or lurking in the role of a robber.
“He’s quick to read and respond to the quarterback’s eyes and operation, attacking throws at a disruptive angle when he can. He’s athletic with a good short-area burst, but his play speed in large spaces is average. He’s quick to diagnose and race downhill but is more of a worker than a true enforcer in support. Trader’s football character and scheme versatility help his cause. He has a chance to earn a spot as a backup.”
This story was originally published April 26, 2025 at 2:55 PM.
