STRENGTHS: Naturally large man with good overall weight distribution. Tall, broad shouldered, long-limbed player with a thick lower half. Surprisingly athletic for a player of his size, exhibiting good initial quickness, lateral agility and impressive straight-line speed. Occasionally explodes off the ball and can ruin plays before they have a chance to work.
Possesses quick hands to slap away the attempts at opponents to latch on and control him and uses an effective swim move to slip free. Alert to the quarterback and shows good effort to gets his hands into passing lanes. Powerful. Can knock centers back onto their heels with his initial surge and shows good upper-body strength to lock out and shed. Anchors effectively due to his size and strength and shows good effort in pursuit in the tackle box.
Appears to be just scratching the surface of his potential.
WEAKNESSES: Not yet the sum of his parts. Too often stands up at the snap, negating his own power and while very quick for a man of his size, too rarely makes plays at the point of attack, as ballcarriers are often able to avoid him.
Inconsistent hand usage. Too often latches onto blockers and reacts to what he sees, rather than penetrating. Despite his length, has just two passes broken up in 27 career games.
Underwent back surgery in October of 2013 in an attempt to correct issues that had bothered him for a few years. As head coach Bob Stoops said at the time of Phillips' surgery, the procedure wasn't due to "one specific injury." Has only one full season of starting experience at the collegiate level.
COMPARES TO: Dontari Poe, Kansas City Chiefs: Because of their similar build and eye-popping athleticism, Poe is the easy comparison for Phillips. While Poe has emerged as one of the NFL's most intimidating nose guards, many others with similar talents have struggled with consistency in the NFL.
Phillips could just as easily wind up the second coming of Marcus Stroud or Albert Haynesworth, who lacked the requisite work ethic to take full advantage of their talents. Given Phillips' history of back issues, former first rounders turned early NFL retirees Marcus Tubbs (Seattle) and Justin Harrell (Green Bay) could unfortunately prove valid comparisons, as well.
