One of the biggest surprises of the 2013 NFL draft was the Miami Dolphins trading up and selecting defensive end Dion Jordan out of Oregon. The move was shocking because most draft experts believed the Dolphins were trading up to take tackle Lane Johnson with the third overall pick. The Dolphins had a need at left tackle after incumbent Jake Long signed with the St. Louis Rams. No one knew how high the Dolphins were on Jordan. Many experts questioned the decision because they do not believe Jordan will be a three down player right away. Were the Dolphins foolish to draft a situational player with the third overall pick in the draft? The answer depends on if you think Jordan is merely just a situational pass rusher.
The Dolphins play a base 4-3 defense and Jordan is more of a prototypical 3-4 outside linebacker. If you are familiar with these defensive schemes, then you know it is difficult to convert a 3-4 linebacker in to a 4-3 defensive end. In a 4-3 scheme the defensive end needs to be able to set the edge and must be stout against the run. Jordan’s detractors will point out that he simply does not have the body mass to be effective stopping the run. The Dolphins will argue that his playing weight will be much higher once training camp begins and that his added body mass will be enough to stand his ground against the behemoth tackles of the NFL.
The second knock on this pick is how high Jordan was drafted. Many feel he is just a third down pass rusher and if that’s the case, the third overall pick was far too high for this type of player. NFL pundits feel Jordan’s game and body type are similar to Aldon Smith of the San Francisco 49ers. Smith was drafted seventh overall in the 2011 NFL draft. Smith did not start a single game his rookie season, he was what you would call a “situational pass rusher.” The 49ers had a plan for Smith and he ended his rookie season with 14 sacks one short of the rookie sack record. I am not saying Dion Jordan is Aldon Smith nor that he will achieve the same results but the Dolphins sure seem to think so.
The Dolphins have been following Jordan for two years now. They are very familiar with the Oregon phenom. Miami scouts have had their eye on Jordan since last year. The Dolphins felt he might leave school early and enter the NFL draft. It turns out that he stayed in school for another year. The Dolphins had him ranked high on their draft board even then. This year the Dolphins scouted him deeper and this time general manger Jeff Ireland saw the opportunity and pulled the trigger. They made the move despite having a need at tackle and having the opportunity to draft one of the best tackles in the draft. The pick signifies one of two things; either the need at tackle really isn’t as big as people thought or the Dolphins believe Jordan is too good of a player to pass up.
At Oregon Jordan was used in a myriad of ways. Not only as a pass rusher but he was sometimes used in coverage. The Dolphins love his versatility and athleticism. Miami coaches have been hinting at possibly playing a hybrid 4-3 3-4 defense this season. The Dolphins have depth on the defensive line and the addition of Jordan gives them versatility in the play calling. The new wrinkle in the defense would signify a possibly expanded role for the rookie defensive end. The Dolphins obviously have a plan for Jordan and in their vision the pick makes perfect sense.