49ers Take a Risk on Frequently Injured Edge Rusher in Last-Minute Move

The San Francisco 49ers are ramping up efforts to land Miami Dolphins edge rusher Jaelan Phillips before the NFL trade deadline on Tuesday, entering a heated competition with the Philadelphia Eagles and New England Patriots, as reported by

. The Dolphins, currently sitting at 2-7 and looking to extract maximum value before playoff hopes are mathematically dashed, are seeking no less than a third-round pick in exchange for Phillips. The 2021 first-round selection has struggled with injuries but has recently shown improvement, according to . With Nick Bosa sidelined for the season due to an ACL injury, the 49ers are urgently seeking to reinforce a defensive front that has managed only nine sacks so far, a concern also highlighted in a .

At 26, Phillips has experienced a rocky professional journey. He notched 8.5 sacks as a rookie and followed up with 7.0 in 2022, but back-to-back injuries—a torn Achilles in 2023 and an ACL tear in 2024—restricted him to just four games last season. This year, however, he has bounced back, tallying three sacks and 25 tackles over nine games, including two sacks in his last three appearances, as noted by Bleacher Report. His resurgence has sparked renewed interest, especially as the Dolphins, under interim GM Champ Kelly, focus on accumulating draft picks rather than retaining players on expiring contracts, per DolphinsTalk.

The 49ers' need is particularly pressing. Although they recently brought in Keion White from the Patriots, he has yet to register a sack, leaving their pass rush lacking. "Philadelphia faces the most urgent situation," one analysis observed, pointing to the Eagles ranking 11th from the bottom in sacks and the Patriots' dependence on the unpredictable AFC, as reported by Sporting News. Still, with Bosa and Bryce Huff both out, the 49ers' depth is thin, making Phillips a gamble with significant potential payoff.

The Dolphins are also entertaining offers for edge rushers Bradley Chubb and Matthew Judon, but Phillips' age and upside make him the most appealing trade candidate, according to Bleacher Report. Chubb, signed through 2027, would require a longer-term investment, while Judon's contract is also expiring but doesn't offer the same promise as Phillips.

This trade deadline is a crucial juncture for the 49ers. Bringing in Phillips could help stabilize their defense, though his injury record and short-term contract raise concerns about his future with the team. Meanwhile, the Dolphins are aiming to collect valuable assets as playoff contenders look to pay a premium for proven talent, as suggested by DolphinsTalk.

With the deadline fast approaching, the 49ers' management is reportedly in ongoing talks, but no agreement has been reached yet. As Phillips' on-field value climbs and the Dolphins' bargaining position strengthens, this potential deal could have a major impact on the defensive outlook in the NFC West.