Jets Address Defensive Line, Acquire Harrison Phillips from Minnesota for Draft Consideration

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The New York Jets reportedly added a veteran presence to their defensive tackle rotation Wednesday by trading for Harrison Phillips.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported the Jets sent a 2026 sixth-round draft pick and a 2027 sixth-round draft pick to the Minnesota Vikings in exchange for Phillips and a 2027 seventh-round draft pick.

The trade is pending a physical from Phillips.

It has been a busy day for the Jets in terms of defensive tackle trades, as Schefter reported they also acquired Jowon Briggs and a 2026 seventh-round pick from the Cleveland Browns for a 2026 sixth-round pick.

Nick Wojton of USA Today noted there is still “an ongoing battle to find out who will start next to Quinnen Williams at the start of the season,” and it seems as if there are two new contenders to account for before the Sept. 7 season opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Wojton called Jay Tufele the “current favorite” from a group that includes Payton Page, Leonard Taylor III, and Derrick Nnadi, but that was before the Phillips trade.

Phillips entered the league as a third-round pick of the Buffalo Bills in 2018.

He played his first four seasons for the AFC East team and suited up for the Vikings in each of the last three. He never missed a game for Minnesota and posted 56 tackles, two sacks, four passes defended, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery last season.

New York’s defense was third in the league in yards allowed last season despite the team’s ugly 5-12 record. Aaron Rodgers and the offense was more of the problem, so the team is surely hoping the defense is once again a strong point.

Adding Phillips should make the defensive front more stout against the run, and he may also be able to eat double teams at times to open up more blitzing lanes for his teammates on the outside.