5 underrated NFL rookies making a lot of noise early in training camp
Underrated NFL rookie no. 4: Kyle Philips, WR, Titans
35. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. Kyle Philips. player. WR. Titans. 4
Don’t look now, but it’s not first-round pick Treylon Burks making all of the headlines for the Tennessee Titans at training camp in 2022.
Instead, it’s fifth-round pick Kyle Philips, a rather unsung player coming out of UCLA.
WR coach Rob Moore on Kyle Philips earning reps with the #Titans 1s: He's earned it pic.twitter.com/jaNVm2hY1O
— Buck Reising (@BuckReising) August 4, 2022
Philips didn’t blow anyone away with his workout at the Scouting Combine but the things he put on tape at UCLA were reminiscent of a young Hunter Renfrow coming out of Clemson.
Smaller receivers who can win with outstanding quickness, footwork, strong hands, and instinctive play at the position.
Despite not having great long speed, Philips has a knack for getting open and is super slick as a route runner.
Kyle Philips with nice route against Chris Jackson. #Titans pic.twitter.com/6GcKUrf1Mj
— Ben Arthur (@benyarthur) August 2, 2022
Sometimes it’s not all about the physical traits. Sometimes the most impactful rookies are the guys that can come out there and play the fastest, not necessarily the ones who run the fastest on a track.
https://twitter.com/Titans/status/1555337274295975937
The more reps Philips gets with the Titans’ top offense and Ryan Tannehill throwing him the ball, the more you can’t help but wonder if 50 receptions is too short of a bar to set for him in his rookie season.
It’s early, but Philips is well on his way to significantly outplaying his draft status as a rookie in the 2022 NFL season.