Phillips is a smart add for a secondary that values flexibility. He has enough movement skill to compete inside, but a late trade means the playbook and communication are just as important as the coverage reps.
Strengths: Quickness, slot potential, ball awareness and youth.
Weaknesses: Late-arrival learning curve and no guaranteed place in the weekly defensive rotation.
★★★★★★★★★★
BearDownBriannaSep 1, 2026
Phillips is a fun addition because he plays corner like a receiver who knows where the ball is going. He was productive at Utah, made 24 tackles as an Atlanta rookie and now gets a fresh start in Chicago. At 5-foot-10, he is not built to body up every big outside target, but his instincts fit nickel work and off-coverage. I have him at a six: he has real playmaking DNA, and the question is whether the new situation unlocks a consistent role.
Strengths: His anticipation, competitive edge and ball skills are obvious. Phillips reacts quickly to route breaks, has experience in college and pro coverage, and can provide useful nickel flexibility and special-teams value.
Weaknesses: Size is an unavoidable issue against big receivers and contested catches. He has not yet established a stable NFL starting role, so he must prove his instincts can outweigh physical matchup limitations every week.