The Dolphins’ run defense has begun to improve. Thank DL Jordan Phillips

Miami Dolphins admin October 2, 2026 0 Comments

The Dolphins’ run defense has begun to improve. Thank DL Jordan Phillips

Jordan Phillips might be the most underrated player on the Miami Dolphins.

At least that’s how his head coach described the second-year defensive lineman.

“ I thought Jordan was outstanding,” coach Jeff Hafley said, calling Phillips “one of the least talked-about, underrated players on our roster” despite playing a key role in helping to limit the league’s leading rusher in running back Kenneth Walker III. “They ran the ball for I think 70-something yards and the yards per carry were down pretty low and Jordan Phillips was a huge part of that. The way he was setting the edge and knocking back and setting the line of scrimmage.”

Such praises are warranted considering the role that Phillips has filled in 2026. A preseason injury to 2025 first-round pick Kenneth Grant left a boatload of snaps available along the defensive line. Phillips has stepped in seamlessly, recording two total pressures and three stops, according to Pro Football Focus.

“KG is a big part of our defense, a big part of what we do,” Phillips said, later adding “whatever my role is, I’m going embrace that, and I’m going to continue to be the best version of me for my teammates, for my coaches and obviously for this organization.”

It has been far from perfect — the Dolphins currently rank 12th against the run – yet the team has allowed an impressive 3.5 yards per carry, which would be the fourth-lowest total in the NFL. These figures are a testament to Phillips’ growth in year two.

“Jordan is a guy that is not going to get enough credit because he kind of plays a position where the limelight is not going to be on him,” Hafley said. “He’s going to be taking on double-teams. He’s going to be doing the grunt work and keeping the linebackers clean, pushing the pocket and the stats might not be there but the cool thing about him is he just embraces that role. He is one of the toughest, most physical, most driven guys that I’ve been around and usually that’s one of the hard positions to play.”

Take his second-quarter rep against the Kansas City Chiefs, for example. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes hands the ball off to Walker who begins to scamper to the left. Phillips, meanwhile, faces a double-team from a pair of offensive linemen — that is, until the former Maryland standout showcases his signature strength and bursts through the duo, tackling Walker in the backfield.

“Going against one of the great guards in Trey Smith, him just dominating, being great and obvious that being a great battle to watch,” edge Josh Uche said. “He’s a young player in Year 2, and to see him stepping into his own has been great.”

A similar run stop happened in the fourth quarter. Phillips did his signature celebration — an exaggerated belly rub — which immediately caught the attention of Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce. A few plays later when Kelce scored, it was Phillips’ celebration that the legendary tight end opted to mimic.

“We had a couple words,” Phillips quipped with a sly smile. “He wanted to mock my celebration.”

Added Phillips: “That’s my thing. I made that celebration up. It just means I’m hungry for more. I make a play — I’m hungry for another one.”

Having held the reigning AFC Player of the Month in Walker to his lowest rushing total in 2026, the Dolphins can take pride that their run defense appears to be headed in the right direction. Phillips remains a big piece of that. The hope remains that a healthy Grant would only bolster the unit that has already begun to gel.

“Be even better,” Phillips responds when asked about the defensive line’s potential upon Grant’s return. “We’re going to be excited to have him back whenever that is. Right now, we’re just playing for him.”

This story was originally published October 1, 2026 at 4:40 PM with the headline “The Dolphins’ run defense has begun to improve. Thank DL Jordan Phillips.”