Who is Jordan Phillips, the DT the Giants traded to the Cowboys?

The Dallas Cowboys desperately need to add depth to the interior defensive line, as their inability to stop the run last season caused them major problems. Among those expected to compete for starting jobs at tackle are 2023 first-round pick Mazi Smith and fourth-year veteran Osa Odighizuwa.

On Wednesday, the Cowboys added another nose tackle to the mix. They acquired Jordan Phillips in a trade with the New York Giants. As part of the trade, Dallas will also receive a seventh-round selection from the Giants. In return, the Cowboys will send a 2026 sixth-round pick to the Giants.

Who is Jordan Phillips?

Phillips is entering his ninth season in the NFL. He was the Miami Dolphins’ second-round pick in 2015, where he played until 2018. He then had stints with the Buffalo Bills and Arizona Cardinals before re-signing with the Bills again in 2022. He finished last season with 15 tackles, 2.5 sacks, and a career-high five defended passes through 14 games and nine starts. The Giants signed Phillips in April and he played 16 snaps in their preseason opener against the Lions last week.

The 6′6″, 340-pound nose tackle apparently did not impress Giants coach Brian Daboll in that game, as they were happy to trade him away to Dallas. The Cowboys will then absorb Phillips’ one-year, $1.26 million contract in base and roster bonus.

The Cowboys are hoping to have Phillips join as a rotational nose tackle, as Mazi Smith alone doesn’t seem like he’ll cut it.