Dallas City News

The Dallas Cowboys desperately needed more bodies on their defensive line, preferably on the interior. Late Wednesday night, the Cowboys sent out the bat signal and made a move, and that was trading with the New York Giants for former second-round selection Jordan Phillips and late-round pick swap.

Phillips has played in the league for nine seasons and spent time with the Miami Dolphins, Buffalo Bills (two stints), and the Arizona Cardinals. He signed with the Giants in April. However, they have quite a few young defensive lineman with some promise, so Phillips didn’t quite fit in. Oh well, Dallas will gladly take the 6’6″, 340-pounder.

Once Phillips arrived in Dallas, he stopped by the practice field after a walk-through. He ended up talking with All-Pro edge/linebacker Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence. When he spoke to reporters, Phillips made it clear what his mission is in Big D.

“It’s going to be fun. Every D-line that I’ve ever been on has great edge rushers. And I’ve always been that guy in the middle that can push the pocket and flush people to them. I’m excited to help them get some more sacks.”

Phillips has not only been a space-eater in the middle, but he’s helped some very notable players have big seasons. Alongside Ndamukong Suh with the Dolphins in 2016 and 2017, he aided Cameron Wake with back-to-back double-digit sack campaigns. During his two years with the Cardinals, he helped Haason Reddick and Chandler Jones have seasons north of 10 sacks, and he assisted Ed Oliver in getting 9.5 sacks for Bills last season.

Despite his massive physique, Phillips is extremely athletic. He can play the zero, one, three, or five-tech. However, in Dallas, he’ll primarily be asked to be an anchor as a one-tech. He’ll rotate with 2023 first-round pick Mazi Smith beside Osa Odighizuwa. With his ability to take up space and Odighizuwa being able to use his leverage despite being a smaller three-tech, guys like Parsons, Lawrence, and rookie Marshawn Kneeland could see a lot of one-on-one chances. Don’t be surprised to see him play next to Smith at certain times with his skills at three-tech.

Phillips is a better player than Smith right now. The Cowboys will certainly give Smith every opportunity to start, but Phillips is seasoned. So, don’t be surprised if he’s the starting one-tech when the Cowboys start the season against the Cleveland Browns.

As a native of Kansas and playing his collegiate football at Oklahoma, Phillips is very familiar with the Cowboys. He didn’t grow up a fan of the organization, but he recognizes that it’s a little different under the Dallas microscope.

“I’m just really excited to play for an organization like this. It’s different to be on a national stage like this, with the Cowboys.”

Dallas is undoubtedly ready to see Phillips clogging up lanes and improving the Cowboys run defense and keep their linebackers clean while also allowing their edge guys to get favorable situations to get to the quarterback.