USAT: Jets Wire audio clip

USAT: Jets Wire

Jan 20, 2022

Special teams players don’t receive the same type of hype that offensive and defensive players do, but Del’Shawn Phillips quietly turned in a solid performance in his first season with the Jets. - Phillips signed with New York in March, was waived before the season, re-signed to the practice squad, and eventually signed to the active roster after being promoted for the first two games of the season. Despite the winding start to his Jets career, Phillips led Gang Green with 372 special teams snaps and was one of only seven players active for all 17 of New York’s games this season. - Phillips was one of the best special teams players in the NFL in 2021. He and teammate Justin Hardee tied for 12th in the league with 12 special teams tackles, and Phillips finished third in snaps without a penalty. He also ranked sixth among 558 special teams players with a Pro Football Focus grade of 90.5. - Phillips’ role on the Jets wasn’t flashy, but it was important. New York’s special teams finished second in the league in DVOA, per Football Outsiders, and return specialist Braxton Berrios earned an All-Pro selection after leading the league in kickoff return yards per return. Phillips finished third on the team with five blocking assists, per Jets X-Factor’s Michael Nania. - Phillips has proven himself an adept special teams contributor, and that’s enough to earn a role for the 2022 season. While Phillips likely won’t make an impact at linebacker, his ability to block and tackle on special teams should keep him around next season. He doesn’t cost a lot and the Jets need will surely want to keep their only successful unit intact. - - List - - 4 things to know about new Jets LB Del'Shawn Phillips - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Email - - - - - Sign up - - - - - - - - Like this article? - Sign up for the Jets Wire email newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning - - - - An error has occured - - - Please re-enter your email address. - - - - - - Thanks for signing up! - - - You'll now receive the top Jets Wire stories each day directly in your inbox.

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