Las Vegas Raiders sign CB Darius Phillips for one-year, $2.25 million
The Las Vegas Raiders sign CB Darius Phillips on the second day of free agency. The veteran cornerback’s deal is worth $2.25 million for one year, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.
Phillips, 26, was drafted in the 2018 NFL Draft as a fifth-round pick for the Cincinnati Bengals. Playing on both defense and special teams, the 5’10”, 190-pound cornerback played in 47 games throughout his four-year career in Cincy totaling 66 tackles (56 solo), five picks, 23 passes defensed, three forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery in his 10 starts. On special teams, Phillips also recorded 209 yards on 30 punt returns and 542 yards on 25 kickoffs.
Prior to his time as a Bengal, Phillips played 51 games for Western Michigan from 2013 to 2017. He totaled 127 tackles, 47 passes defensed, 12 interceptions, four forced fumbles, and three fumble recoveries. In his undergraduate career, Phillips scored 14 touchdowns in five different ways (five kickoff returns, one punt return, five interceptions, one fumble recovery, and two receiving), which set the Football Bowl Subdivision career record with 12 total return touchdowns.
Phillips finished the 2021 season with 177 yards on 25 punt returns (career highs) and 169 yards on eight kickoffs. The Las Vegas Raiders sign CB Darius Phillips for more depth, which will put him next to cornerback Amik Robertson to compete for the fourth string CB position.