Top five NFL draft landing spots for Clemson safety Jalyn Phillips
CLEMSON — Former Clemson football safety Jalyn Phillips entered the NFL Draft after spending five seasons with the Tigers, for whom he became one of nine players to appear in 60 career games.
The Georgia native logged 149 tackles, 11 pass breakups and two interceptions through 60 games (29 starts) in his Clemson career. He missed five games last season because of a shoulder injury and participated in Clemson's Pro Day to show he is healthy, running 4.65 seconds during the 40-yard dash.
Phillip is the only Tigers player in this draft class who didn't start regularly and projects as an undrafted pick who will have to battle to earn a roster spot.
Here are the top five destinations for the safety:
Jalyn Phillips NFL draft projection 1: Buffalo Bills
The Bills are experiencing turnover at both safety positions after releasing Jordan Poyer and letting Micah Hyde walk in free agency. The duo held down the safety positions for seven years, but the Bills have moved in a new direction.
Buffalo re-signed Taylor Rapp to a three-year deal and will use the draft to add more depth in the back end. Phillips joining the team on an undrafted free-agent deal is a possibility, where he would battle for a reserve role.
Jalyn Phillips NFL draft projection 2: Indianapolis Colts
The Colts' safeties doomed them in their regular-season finale against the Texans, allowing multiple 20-plus plays that led to them missing the playoffs. They re-signed Justin Blackmon this offseason to provide continuity at safety but will look to add more in the draft.
Indianapolis signing Phillips, who logged four pass deflections each in his past two seasons, wuold add depth to its roster.
Jalyn Phillips NFL draft projection 3: Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins signed Poyer to a one-year deal after losing Brandon Jones in free agency. Poyer will play alongside Jevon Holland, but the veteran is entering his age-33 season, his coverage skills have dipped and he has dealt with injuries the past two years.
Continuing to add depth at that position in the draft or post draft will be critical for the cash-strapped Dolphins.
MORE: 2024 NFL mock draft: Projecting where all 10 Clemson Tigers prospects will land
Jalyn Phillips NFL draft projection 4: New York Jets
The Jets lost Jordan Whitehead in free agency and re-signed Chuck Clark and Ashytn Davis to complement free safety Tony Adams. Still, Clark is coming off a season-ending knee injury and will be 29 when the 2024 season begins.
Look for New York to add more safety depth in the draft and after it with Phillips as a candidate.
Jalyn Phillips NFL draft projection 5: Green Bay Packers
The Packers signed safety Xavier McKinney to a four-year deal, and he will be an integral part of new defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley's scheme.
Hafley wants safeties who can take the ball away, communicate effectively and finish tackles. Phillips fits that billing because he was a respected team leader and had two 11-tackle outings in his career and could battle for a roster spot in the summer.
Derrian Carter covers Clemson athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email him at dcarter@gannett.com and follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DerrianCarter00
This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Jalyn Phillips NFL draft projections: Best landing spots for Clemson DB
