Name: Adrian Phillips
No.: 31.
Pro position: Strong safety/defensive back.
DOB: 3/28/92 (28 for 2020 season).
College: Texas (captain).
Hgt: 5-10.
Wgt: 210.
Measurables (draftscout.com) — 40y: 4.58. 10y: 1.58. Arms: 31 1/8. Hands: 8 3/8. Vert: 35.5. 3-cone: 7.10. Short Shuttle: 4.29. Broad jump: 9-7. Bench: 13.
Yr/Rnd/Team: 2014/Undrafted/Chargers.
Last pro team: Chargers.
Games/starts: 64/25 career; 7/5 in '19. Defensive snaps: 29% in '19, 66% in '18. Special teams snaps: 23% in '19, 79% in '18.
Key stats: 5 INTs and 18 passes defense in career. Career-high 94 total tackles in '18.
Injuries: 2019: Broken arm. 2017: Neck, ankle.
PFF grades
Phillips' highest-graded game from last season was the finale against the Chiefs ... not sure why that was. He didn't make any plays other than interception on an obvious free play that was called back. He wasn't bad, just nothing that stood out.
Games evaluated: 2019 Wks 15, 17; 2018 playoffs vs. Ravens, Patriots.
Notable: In 2019 after his broken arm, Phillips came back as basically the Patriots' star position — slot cornerback/linebacker on early downs, and then sub middle linebacker. ... Chargers have a lot of young safeties, like Rayshawn Jenkins, Desmond King and Nasir Adderly who appear ready to play under rookie deals. ... Due to LB injuries, had to play LB vs. Patriots in the playoff game.
Physical traits: Not the fastest guy, but has enough speed. Good build and consistent in the top and lower body.
Strengths
- The first thing that jumps out is how smart he is. When the offense was going quick or changing formations, he was always the first to signal an adjustment to his teammates.
- Very smart at recognizing route combinations in man and zone coverage.
- Very good at diagnosing jet sweeps and gaining leverage, will help vs. teams like Ravens.
- Was asked to play a lot of robber, which the Patriots have done a lot with Devin McCourty. Chargers used it to double Stefon Diggs, which is exactly how the Patriots use it.
- Rallies to the ball well and shows great effort (except on Damien Williams' 84-yard TD - top of screen below).
Damien Williams refuses to go down.
84 yards to the house! #ChiefsKingdom
?: #LACvsKC on CBS
?: NFL app // Yahoo Sports app
Watch free on mobile: https://t.co/HYJhHN7b2Y pic.twitter.com/FO2DlEvUBd
— NFL (@NFL) December 29, 2019
- Maintains leverage in the running game. Has no fear taking on bigger blockers when playing ILB.
- Played slot against the Chiefs and covered anyone (in zone coverage) that came into his area, including Tyreek Hill, Travis Kelce and Demarcus Robinson.
- Ran the show at MLB in the Chargers' 2018 upset of the Ravens and Lamar Jackson.
Weaknesses
- Can get a little aggressive in space/zone coverage and be baited by the eyes of a quarterback.
- Loves to shoulder tackle/thud instead of wrapping with good technique.
- Doesn't show up a ton on film in plays, but that seems to be more of a product of the Chargers' conservative scheme than anything.
Game film
Player comparison
Eric Weddle, retired, formerly of the Chargers and Ravens.
Now, I'm not saying Phillips is or will be Weddle, who was one of the smartest safeties in NFL history, but he plays in a similar style to his former teammate. They play all over the field, including linebacker, and have a next-level knowledge of the opponent through intense film study.
You can tell Weddle made a huge impact on Phillips, and that's a great player to emulate. I always wanted to see Weddle play for Bill Belichick — and that nearly happened once — and now we get the next-best thing. I'm told that Weddle loves Phillips and considers him "his guy."
Fit in Patriots scheme
He should be a natural fit into both the Patriots' robber position (manned mostly by Devin McCourty in recent years) and star (slot) spot made famous by Patrick Chung. Having Phillips here is a huge upgrade on Duron Harmon, who could only play a deep, deep safety and should allow McCourty to play a better deep safety for the team. Phillips can take McCourty's robber spot and gives them a real backup for the oft-injured Chung. As far a player and his work ethic, Phillips screams Patriots.
Best-case Patriots scenario
He slots right in as the third safety and may push Chung for the starting spot in the scheme. Plus, he's a very good special teams player so that fits right in as well.
Worst-case Patriots scenario
With more playing time, Phillips is exposed as not being very durable and his injury issues from last season continue.
Parting thoughts
If I knew my team had to go through the Ravens and Chiefs in the AFC and I could pick one player to help me against those teams, it just might be Adrian Phillips. He was outstanding in his last two matchups with those teams and should be a huge asset, especially, against the Ravens. Nothing against Chung, who is very good when healthy, but Phillips' mind makes him a next-level asset in the box against the RPO of the Ravens against Lamar Jackson. You won't see him carrying a player who doesn't have the ball unless he's totally fooled, I can tell you that much.
Even on film, Phillips shows a thorough knowledge of the 10 other spots in his defensive scheme, and is a leader who makes a lot of checks. Phillips also does his homework and may know the opposing offensive scheme better than some of his coaches.
Unless injuries become a factor, Phillips should take his career to another level with the Patriots and will be a huge bargain at $6 million over two years.