CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The 2021 NFL draft was well into its second hour as Jaelan Phillips relaxed with his parents in Miami. Everyone remained confident that the outside linebacker from the University of Miami wouldn’t fall past the Minnesota Vikings at No. 14.
Then the Vikings traded that pick to the New York Jets and slid down to No. 23.
The mood changed.
“That’s where the stress really kicked in,” recalled Phillips’ father, Jon. You’re sitting there wondering if Jaelan’s going to be one of those guys [who falls].”
Stress is relative here.
Get ready for the 2026 NFL
Link to Original Article - on ESPN