Atlanta Falcons Bye Week Rookie Review: Clark Phillips III Seeing Increased Role?
Atlanta Falcons rookie cornerback Clark Phillips III arrived with more expectations than fourth-round picks usually do, and for good reason.
Coming off a standout junior season at Utah in which he won PAC-12 Defensive Player of the Year, Phillips was believed to be in contention for an immediate role - but it hasn't played out that way.
With Dee Alford claiming the starting nickel cornerback job during the offseason and Mike Hughes spending the first eight weeks of the season as punt returner, Phillips was often inactive on Sundays, though he's begun seeing more snaps of late.
Here's a rundown of Phillips' first professional campaign as Atlanta enjoys its bye week ...
KEY NUMBERS: Phillips has played in as many games (five) as he's been a healthy scratch. In his appearances, he's played defensively just once, the Falcons' most recent game against the Arizona Cardinals. He's played 53 total snaps on special teams, making one tackle.
"REMEMBER WHEN": Phillips went toe-to-toe with Atlanta's top receiver, Drake London, in training camp and made a viral interception? It was quite the introduction for Phillips, though London got the better of him days later with a contested touchdown catch.
Atlanta Falcons cornerback Clark Phillips III at practice during rookie minicamp.
USA Today
BEST OF THE BEST: There's no other option than Phillips' showing in Atlanta's 25-23 loss to Arizona, when he not only made his defensive debut but played 30 snaps in the process.
He capitalized on the opportunity, allowing only one catch for 11 yards on four targets and forced an incompletion on the Cardinals' final offensive drive.
BIGGEST OBSTACLE: From Week 3 through Week 8, Phillips played only once - Week 5 against the Houston Texans. He was a healthy scratch the other five games. After being the guy at Utah and impressing this summer, few expected Phillips to play a reduced role - but he persevered to provide his best showing before the bye week.
WHAT'S TO COME: Phillips was active in Week 9 against the Minnesota Vikings and then ascended into a bigger role against Arizona with Alford out due to an ankle injury.
It's unlikely this quantity of defensive snaps will continue with Alford back in the fold, but Phillips earned the right to see a handful of defensive snaps, and if nothing else, proved he can be serviceable at nickel when needed, setting the stage for an intriguing final seven games.
ONE LAST LINE: "We’re really high on Clark Phillips," Falcons coach Arthur Smith said prior to Week 6.
