After selecting Ohio State defensive end Zach Harrison with pick No. 75, the Atlanta Falcons kicked off the fourth round of the 2023 NFL draft by taking Utah cornerback Clark Phillips III with pick No. 113.
Phillips’ 5-foot-9, 184-pound frame will likely force him to play primarily at the nickel spot, but his natural play-making ability should help him get on the field this season. Here’s how Falcons fans reacted to the pick on Twitter.
There's your nickel corner. Had a 1st round grade from me. Reminds me of Brent Grimes. (minus the crazy wife) https://t.co/eLFvTS8QgQ
— 𝙎𝙘𝙤𝙩𝙩 𝘾𝙖𝙧𝙖𝙨𝙞𝙠 🏈 (@CarasikS) April 29, 2023
Clark Phillips has plenty of intrigue. Not the biggest corner but has some of the best ball skills in the draft. Pac-12 DPOY in 2022, 1st team All Pac-12 in 2022. Physical playmaker with 4 pick-6s in his collegiate career.
— Eric Robinson (@_Eric_Robinson) April 29, 2023
Loving the pick Terry.
Strikes again. pic.twitter.com/waqvxnJg8h
— 🇬🇧 Atlanta Falcons 🔴⚫ (@ATLFalconsUK) April 29, 2023
#Falcons secondary is about to be crazy under Jerry Gray. Man, that last park of Utah CB Clark Phillips lll in the 4th was a steal imo. I had a 1st round grade on dude. We just rob the bank on that pick. The biggest steal of the draft imo. Let's go.
— Superbowl Contenders (@tobyd1991) April 29, 2023
Atlanta Falcons drafted CB Clark Phillips III!!!!!!🤯🤯🤯🤯🥺🥹🥹😭 pic.twitter.com/DotvfUvpzQ
— JazzyJeffRealTalk (@JazzyJeffRealT1) April 29, 2023
Thrilled for Clark Phillips III and his family. MORE thrilled that he’s a DIrty Birds!! Congratulations Clark. I know you will be excellent! Thrilled to have you here! GO UTES‼️
— Jamal Anderson (@jamthedirtybird) April 29, 2023
Clark Phillips is such a good value pick for Atlanta in R4
He had Jordan Addison in witness protection during P12 title game — so sticky
Unanimous All-American/P12 DPoY 2022
Gonna be a slot in NFL but will be a good one immediately
No. 51 on my board
— Thor Nystrom (@thorku) April 29, 2023
Such a steal
— BrotherOrañge (2021 WORLD CHAMPS) (@Br0therOrange) April 29, 2023
FIRST GOOD PICK
— DAWGS NATTY 2023 (@kirbyOWNsaban) April 29, 2023
Falcons secondary is on 🔒
— Jp#Gas (@supastxr_Jp) April 29, 2023
That Falcons secondary has quietly become really solid and fairly deep. Amazing work by Fontenot and the front office to put some talent into that room.
— Ev Glaze (@Everett_G07) April 29, 2023
Clark Phillips III got that dog in him 💯#DirtyBirds
— The 33rd Team (@The33rdTeamFB) April 29, 2023
Falcons got there hands on one of them ones man. Captain of the Clark Philips fan club right here.
Here’s my thoughts on the former 4 ⭐️ recruit from La Habra High https://t.co/WCgllR9VsA pic.twitter.com/IVphEzCh4V
— Mar’Quell Fripp-Owens (@iNoSports_) April 29, 2023
Clark Phillips III could be the next Brent Grimes. Height and weight is legitimately the only concern with him (along with long range speed, which Jessie Bates will help make up for). This dude is a natural born corner who was nothing but productive in college.
— Adnan Ikic (@SayWhichWay) April 29, 2023
I love Clark Phillips III …. from the school a bit north on I-15.
Tough, aggressive, ball hawk. Fans will like how he works.
— Brett Jewkes (@BJewkes) April 29, 2023
#Falcons are suddenly deep at NCB.
Mike Hughes
Dee Alford
Clark PhillipsGonna be a fun camp battle.
— Rise Up Robinson (@RiseUpReader) April 29, 2023
#Falcons fans, Clark Phillips III was the HIGHEST-RANKED player left on my Board!! ABSOLUTE DOG!! #NFLDraft2023
"Teams tried to test me. It never worked. We can play out hypothetical, but we have to trust the film."@ClarkPhillips21 x @TheDraftNetwork https://t.co/h6xSXZG3HQ
— Justin M (@JustinM_NFL) April 29, 2023