FantasyHQ+
College Football

2008 NFL Draft · Rd 2, Pick 1 · #32 overall

Phillip Merling Clemson Draft

Phillip Merling was drafted No. 32 overall by the Miami Dolphins in the 2008 NFL Draft out of Clemson. 53 regular-season games · 6 career approximate value

Overall pick
#32
Round
2
Draft class
2008
NFL games
53
Career AV
693rd at Clemson

The pick

How Phillip Merling came off the board in 2008.

Drafted by

Miami Dolphins

Rd 2, Pick 1 · #32 overall · AFC East

Full 2008 draft class (252 picks)
Position
Defensive end DE
College
Clemson ACC at the draft
Measurables
6'4" · 276 lbs
Pre-draft board
No. 25 prospect91.0 grade
Side of the ball
Defense

NFL career

53 regular-season games · 6 career approximate value

Games played
53
Career approximate value
693rd among Clemson picks
AV with the drafting club
6100% of career value
Final season
20135 years after the draft

Around pick 32

Who came off the board on either side of Phillip Merling.

#30 Dustin Keller TE · NYJ Purdue #31 Kenny Phillips DB · NYG Miami #33 Donnie Avery WR · LAR Houston #34 Devin Thomas WR · WAS Michigan State

Clemson in the 2008 draft

Teammates who went in the same class.

#170 Barry Richardson T · KC Clemson

Other DE picks from Clemson

The program's most accomplished players at the same spot.

#6 Jeff Bryant DE · SEA · 1982 Clemson #20 Jim Stuckey DE · SF · 1980 Clemson #4 Clelin Ferrell DE · LV · 2019 Clemson #19 Shaq Lawson DE · BUF · 2016 Clemson #4 Gaines Adams DE · TB · 2007 Clemson #139 Adrian Dingle DE · LAC · 1999 Clemson

About this draft profile

Last updated Aug 24, 2026

Phillip Merling in the 2008 NFL Draft

Phillip Merling is a Defensive end out of Clemson selected No. 32 overall by the Miami Dolphins in the 2008 NFL Draft. 53 regular-season games · 6 career approximate value Clemson has produced 199 NFL draft picks since 1980.

Where this data comes from

Pick order and career outcomes come from the nflverse draft archive; position, measurables, and conference at the time of the draft come from the college feed. Career columns stay empty until a player logs regular-season snaps.

Keep exploring

Frequently asked questions

Where was Phillip Merling drafted?

Phillip Merling was selected No. 32 overall by the Miami Dolphins in the 2008 NFL Draft (Rd 2, Pick 1). Full pick detail at https://fantasyhq.co/cfb-hq/draft-history/players/2008/phillip-merling.

What college did Phillip Merling play for?

Phillip Merling played college football at Clemson in the ACC. See every Clemson draft pick at https://fantasyhq.co/cfb-hq/draft-history/schools/clemson-tigers.

How did Phillip Merling's NFL career turn out?

53 regular-season games · 6 career approximate value Career outcome data at https://fantasyhq.co/cfb-hq/draft-history/players/2008/phillip-merling.