Green Bay Packers 2023 UDFA Profile: LB Jimmy Phillips

Continuing on with my review of the Green Bay Packers undrafted rookie class is SMU linebacker Jimmy Phillips.

In this series, I will be examining the current state of each UDFA’s respective position group, along with diving into the stats you need to know from their time in college. I’ll also be taking a closer look at their measurements when applicable and then including a pre-draft scouting report for an additional perspective.

If you’ve missed any of the other articles in this series, you can find them below.

Brenton Cox

Benny Sapp

Current state of the linebacker position

On the roster: De’Vondre Campbell, Quay Walker, Isaiah McDuffie, Eric Wilson, Tariq Carpenter, and Jimmy Phillips

Including Phillips, there are only six linebackers on the roster, and this position group may be the most stable on the roster. We know that De’Vondre Campbell and Quay Walker will be taking all of the defensive snaps, while Isaiah McDuffie emerged as the third linebacker option late last season. McDuffie, Eric Wilson, and Tariq Carpenter – who has said he converted to linebacker – were the top three players on this team in special teams tackles.

The roster seems pretty well set, with the big decision potentially being whether Green Bay keeps four or five linebackers on the roster – my guess is five – with Phillips on the outside looking in. For Phillips to make the team, he will have to make a similar special teams impact in comparison to Wilson and showcase more defensive upside. Ultimately, special teams will be his path to making the 53-man roster.

Stats to know

Phillips played 1,502 career defensive snaps at SMU, most of which came over the last two seasons. The bulk came lined up in the box as a traditional linebacker, but he also lined up on the defensive line 522 times and spent 264 snaps in the slot.

Where Phillips really shined was as a tackler–he was incredibly sound. Over his career, he made 165 of his 176 tackle attempts, and in 2022, had the 10th-best tackling grade among linebackers. In the previous section, I mentioned the importance of making an impact on special teams, well, Phillips comes to the NFL with a whopping 834 career special teams snaps at the college level, playing on a variety of phases.

In coverage, he allowed a 65% completion rate on 64 targets during his four seasons, allowing 12.0 yards per catch with two interceptions and eight pass breakups. During his final two years, Phillips also tallied 25 total quarterback pressures, according to PFF ($$).

Measurements

6’1″ | 232 | RAS: 3.44

Phillips recorded a below-average Relative Athletic Score. This included a decent 4.68-second 40-yard dash, but what brought his overall RAS down were the agility drills, along with his vertical and broad jump. His overall testing numbers most likely played a factor in him going undrafted, but I imagine his special teams experience and ability as a tackler is why the Packers wanted to bring him in.

Pre-draft scouting report

"“Jimmy Phillips Jr. is the top defensive prospect from the program, and he’s a smallish run-and-chase linebacker who’s best in pursuit. I stamped Phillips with a seventh-round grade.” – Tony Pauline, Pro Football Network"