49ers Gamble on Injury-Plagued Edge Rusher in Deadline Bid

The San Francisco 49ers are intensifying their pursuit of Miami Dolphins edge rusher Jaelan Phillips ahead of the NFL's Tuesday trade deadline, joining a competitive bidding war with the Philadelphia Eagles and New England Patriots, according to Bleacher Report. The Dolphins, seeking to maximize value ahead of their playoff-elimination math (2-7 record), are demanding at least a third-round draft pick for Phillips, a 2021 first-round pick who has battled injuries but shown recent signs of resurgence, per Sporting News. With the 49ers' pass-rush needs amplified by Nick Bosa's season-ending ACL tear, the move underscores their urgency to bolster a defense that has generated just nine sacks this season, a point also noted in a DolphinsTalk report.

Phillips, 26, has faced a turbulent career trajectory. After posting 8.5 sacks in his rookie year and 7.0 in 2022, consecutive injuries—a torn Achilles in 2023 and an ACL tear in 2024—limited him to four games last season. This year, he has returned to form, recording three sacks and 25 tackles across nine games, including two sacks in his last three outings, as Bleacher Report noted. His performance has reignited interest, particularly as the Dolphins prepare for a rebuild under interim GM Champ Kelly, who is prioritizing draft capital over retaining expiring contracts, according to the DolphinsTalk report.

The 49ers' need appears most acute. While they recently acquired Keion White from the Patriots, White has yet to record a sack, leaving a void in their pass rush. "Philadelphia has the most dire need," one analysis noted, highlighting the Eagles' 11th-fewest sacks in the league and the Patriots' reliance on a volatile AFC landscape, as Sporting News reported. However, the 49ers' roster, which lacks depth after Bosa's injury and Bryce Huff's injury, makes Phillips a high-risk, high-reward target.

The Dolphins are also fielding inquiries for fellow edge rushers Bradley Chubb and Matthew Judon, though Phillips' youth and potential make him the most attractive trade option, Bleacher Report reported. Chubb, under contract through 2027, requires a longer commitment, while Judon's expiring deal mirrors Phillips' but lacks the same upside.

For the 49ers, the trade deadline represents a pivotal moment. A Phillips acquisition could stabilize their defense, though his injury history and one-year contract raise questions about long-term viability. The Dolphins, meanwhile, are positioning themselves to secure premium assets in a market where teams with playoff aspirations are willing to overpay for proven production, the DolphinsTalk report suggests.

As the deadline looms, the 49ers' front office is reportedly engaged in active negotiations, though no deal has been finalized. With Phillips' stock rising on the field and the Dolphins' leverage growing, the trade could reshape the NFC West's defensive landscape.