The Miami Dolphins selected Oregon outside linebacker Dion Jordan with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft. They traded their No. 12 pick to the Oakland Raiders to move up to the third spot. Jordan is rated as the No. 7 overall prospect and No. 2 outside linebacker in this year's draft class by SB Nation's Dan Kadar.
NFL Draft results 2013: Dion Jordan selected by Miami Dolphins with 3rd pick
The Miami Dolphins traded up and took the Oregon outside linebacker with the third overall pick.
Al Bello
Addicted To Quack on Dion Jordan
Many Oregon fans were surprised to see that Jordan would go so early. While he was good for the Ducks, he didn't exactly dominate. He has only been playing on the defensive side of the ball for a couple of years, having come to Oregon as a wideout, and has great size at 6'6 with freaky athleticism. Jordan was considered a consensus top-10 pick by just about everyone heading into the draft. He is a rangy pass-rusher with stellar speed and athleticism. A former tight end (at one point in Jordan's career, coaches wanted to try him at wideout), he has shown the ability to cover the slot very well as a pass defender. SB Nation's Matthew Fairburn compared Jordan to Aldon Smith of the San Francisco 49ers in his December scouting report.
Jordan will need a bit of refinement if he is going to reach his All-Pro potential. His upper body strength needs some work, and being so long and lean does make him susceptible to technically sound pass-blockers who can stay low in their stance. That said, his future coaches have to be excited.
The Miami Dolphins could use the pass rushing help that Jordan will likely provide. He is a great edge rusher and the Dolphins, when facing Tom Brady twice every season, could use someone to help them pressure the passer.
The Dolphins have Cameron Wake at defensive end, who has generated 43 sacks over the last four seasons. Adding Jordan to the mix should help Wake be even more productive. He will likely play right away as an edge rusher. He may not be an every-down linebacker right away, but he could make an impact as a pass rusher immediately.
Combine results
Height: 6’6
Weight: 248 lbs.
Hand size: 10 inches
Arm length: 33 7/8 inches
40-yard dash: 4.6 seconds
Vertical jump: 32.5 inches
Broad jump: 122 inches
20-yard shuttle: 4.35 seconds
Given his draft hype, Jordan’s college numbers are somewhat modest. In 2012, he had 44 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, five sacks, three forced fumbles and one pass breakup in 12 games played. His numbers were equally impressive his junior season, when he racked up 7.5 sacks and 13.0 tackles for loss among his 42 total.
Jordan was named First-Team All-Pac-12 by coaches and media last season for his efforts. He was also named one of five finalists for the Butkus Award given every year to the best linebacker in college football.
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