In two offseasons as the New York Jets’ general manager, Darren Mougey has made a total of 13 trades.
Many of those moves, including the addition of defensive tackle Harrison Phillips last season, have proved to be excellent value swaps for negligible draft capital.
According to NFL.com’s Gennaro Filice, Phillips is the Jets’ most underappreciated player.
“I still don’t understand why the Vikings traded this guy [Phillips] to the Jets last August. Phillips anchored Minnesota’s defensive front during Brian Flores’ first two years with the franchise, and the Vikes ranked eighth and second in run defense,” he wrote. “This past season, after parting ways with Phillips, they plummeted to 21st. In related news, Minnesota just spent two of its first three picks on defensive tackles.”
Last season with the Jets, Phillips logged 34 solo tackles, two sacks, 29 stops, eight hurries, and a forced fumble. He remained a stout run defender, with a 76.2 run defense grade from Pro Football Focus that ranked sixth among 134 interior defensive linemen.
Furthermore, he emerged as a key leader on the team. Amid a rough season, his voice was needed, and he quickly became a fan favorite.
While the Jets added a few defensive tackles this season, including T’Vondre Sweat and David Onyemata, Phillips is still expected to have a key role on the team entering the season. After what he showcased on and off the field last season, don’t be surprised if he is named a captain.
Phillips is the type of unsung hero that every New York Jets fan should love, firmly fitting the “underappreciated” bill.
