Could they spend a first-round choice on a top collegiate pass rusher whose career was cut short by medical issues before resuming? Whose college experience included a stop at UCLA? Finally, who wore number 15 during that time with the Bruins?
Yeah, the similarities between Jaelan Phillips and Laiatu Latu are pretty fascinating, and it just so happens that the Dolphins could use a pass rusher in the 2024 draft — owing in large part to Phillips’ current health status, specifically his recovery from a torn Achilles tendon sustained in November.

LATU’S COLLEGE JOURNEY

Latu began his collegiate career at the University of Washington, however he suffered a neck injury during fall practices before his sophomore season in 2020, forcing him to miss the next two seasons after being red-flagged by UW doctors.

Phillips retired from football after playing at UCLA and before going to the University of Miami due to a pair of concussions he sustained.

Latu spent the previous two seasons at UCLA, and in 2023 he was named a unanimous All-American and received the Ted Hendricks and Lombardi honors. He was also the collegiate Polynesian Football Player of the Year on defense, while the offensive award was given to Tua Tagovailoa’s younger brother, Taulia. Tua earned the accolade in 2018 andLatu began his collegiate career at the University of Washington, however he suffered a neck injury during fall practices before his sophomore season in 2020, forcing him to miss the next two seasons after being red-flagged by UW doctors.

Phillips retired from football after playing at UCLA and before going to the University of Miami due to a pair of concussions he sustained.

Latu spent the previous two seasons at UCLA, and in 2023 he was named a unanimous All-American and received the Ted Hendricks and Lombardi honors. He was also the collegiate Polynesian Football Player of the Year on defense, while the offensive award was given to Tua Tagovailoa’s younger brother, Taulia. Tua earned the accolade in 2018 andLatu began his collegiate career at the University of Washington, however he suffered a neck injury during fall practices before his sophomore season in 2020, forcing him to miss the next two seasons after being red-flagged by UW doctors.

Phillips retired from football after playing at UCLA and before going to the University of Miami due to a pair of concussions he sustained.

Latu spent the previous two seasons at UCLA, and in 2023 he was named a unanimous All-American and received the Ted Hendricks and Lombardi honors. He was also the collegiate Polynesian Football Player of the Year on defense, while the offensive award was given to Tua Tagovailoa’s younger brother, Taulia. Tua earned the accolade in 2018 andLatu began his collegiate career at the University of Washington, however he suffered a neck injury during fall practices before his sophomore season in 2020, forcing him to miss the next two seasons after being red-flagged by UW doctors.

Phillips retired from football after playing at UCLA and before going to the University of Miami due to a pair of concussions he sustained.

Latu spent the previous two seasons at UCLA, and in 2023 he was named a unanimous All-American and received the Ted Hendricks and Lombardi honors. He was also the collegiate Polynesian Football Player of the Year on defense, while the offensive award was given to Tua Tagovailoa’s younger brother, Taulia. Tua earned the accolade in 2018 andLatu began his collegiate career at the University of Washington, however he suffered a neck injury during fall practices before his sophomore season in 2020, forcing him to miss the next two seasons after being red-flagged by UW doctors.

Phillips retired from football after playing at UCLA and before going to the University of Miami due to a pair of concussions he sustained.

Latu spent the previous two seasons at UCLA, and in 2023 he was named a unanimous All-American and received the Ted Hendricks and Lombardi honors. He was also the collegiate Polynesian Football Player of the Year on defense, while the offensive award was given to Tua Tagovailoa’s younger brother, Taulia. Tua earned the accolade in 2018 andLatu began his collegiate career at the University of Washington, however he suffered a neck injury during fall practices before his sophomore season in 2020, forcing him to miss the next two seasons after being red-flagged by UW doctors.

Phillips retired from football after playing at UCLA and before going to the University of Miami due to a pair of concussions he sustained.

Latu spent the previous two seasons at UCLA, and in 2023 he was named a unanimous All-American and received the Ted Hendricks and Lombardi honors. He was also the collegiate Polynesian Football Player of the Year on defense, while the offensive award was given to Tua Tagovailoa’s younger brother, Taulia. Tua earned the accolade in 2018 and 2019, along with winning the professional award in 2022 for offense and 2023 overall).

WHY LATU WOULD BE A GREAT CHOICE FOR THE DOLPHINS

There is little doubt that Latu would be an excellent fit for the Dolphins, but he would also be an excellent fit for many other teams, so it’s unclear whether he’ll be available with the 21st overall pick, where the Dolphins have their first choice.

The Dolphins must worry about not only Phillips’ health, but also that of fellow edge defenders Bradley Chubb and Cameron Goode, who endured major knee injuries late in the season.

Latu’s NFL.com draft biography includes a remark from an unknown AFC official describing him as “easily the most skilled (pass) rusher in the draft,” but his neck injury may cause him to slip.

If he becomes available at 21, the Dolphins could do worse than pursue Jaelan Phillips 2.0.