Miami Dolphins Daily Draft Recap: Day 1
Apr 25, 2013; New York, NY, USA; Defensive end Dion Jordan (Oregon) is introduced as the third overall pick of the 2013 NFL Draft by the Miami Dolphins at Radio City Music Hall. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
WOW, what a start to the NFL Draft! We saw many moves that were great and many, eh, not so great (I’m looking at you Buffalo..).
Easily the biggest surprise of the top-ten picks was the Miami Dolphins – Oakland Raiders swap. In the deal, Miami gave up their 12th and 42nd picks to Oakland for the 3rd overall selection. Yes, that’s all the team gave up.
Grade on trade: A+
Giving up a second-round pick to move up nine spots and creep into consideration to take one of the class’ best players is an absolute steal. This trade works out for both sides. Miami gets to take one of the class’ best prospects and Oakland, a “pick needy” team, moves back and snags high second-round pick.
When this trade ultimately went through, many were expecting the trade to be for Oklahoma Tackle, Lane Johnson. Yours truly was not in that category. As soon as I saw Miami make this trade I screamed to my buddy, “It’s for Jordan!”
And that’s just who Miami took.
Dion Jordan – DE – Oregon
Height – 6’6”
Weight – 248 lbs.
Arms – 34 in.
40 Time – 4.60 secs
Vertical – 32.5 in.
Broad -122.0 in.
Hands – 10”
Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=VEi7AB8yGI8
Analysis:
Jordan is a long defensive end and exactly what Miami has been looking for to pair with all-pro defensive end, Cameron Wake, at the right end position in their base 4-3 alignment. This guy is an incredible athlete. When you put the tape on you see an incredibly gifted guy who spent time at defensive end, linebacker, and corner covering slot receivers. Yes, that’s not a typo. CORNER COVERING SLOT RECEIVERS.
Jordan’s biggest weakness is his strength. He needs to bulk up a bit. Once he puts a few extra pounds on his long 6’6″ frame, the sky is the limit.
The Bleacher Report‘s Matt Miller compares Jordan to current New England Patriot, Chandler Jones, while NFL.com compares Jordan to San Francisco‘s pass rushing specialist, Aldon Smith. Personally, I see a player that is a mixture of both Jones and Smith.
Both Smith and Jones are incredible athletes. Smith is more of a finesse guy utilizing a spin, a bull and a hook. Jones, on the other hand, utilizes more powerful moves such as a hook, a bull and what I like to call “smash and trash.” These players are the “new breed” of pass rushers. Long and athletic builds who run like safeties.
While watching tape on this kid, it’s tough to pin point his three pass rushing moves of choice. Jordan needs to develop a pass rushing game in which he utilizes three specific moves. A primary, a secondary, and tertiary move.
General Manager Jeff Ireland‘s pick of Jordan is basically a shot at Tom Brady, in my opinion. Almost saying, “We know you are there Tom. And we are coming after you with everything we got.” The method behind the madness is taking away Brady’s time in the pocket. Look at teams that have had success against Brady. Getting hits on the guy and getting him out of his comfort zone – the pocket, timing, etc. – is the way to do it!!
With this move, Miami can now move Jared Odrick back to his more natural position of defensive tackle, which boosts Miami’s defensive tackle rotation. Having Paul Soliai and Randy Starks on the field with Odrick coming in to spell both will boost that defense tremendously.
This move ALSO helps out Miami’s sub packages. The team has been known to throw some 3-4 looks on the field which is a key reason in why I LOVE THIS PICK. Take a look at this potential 3-4 front:
OLB – Wake DE- Odrick NT- Soliai DT – Starks OLB – Jordan
ILB – Ellerbe/Misi ILB – Wheeler/Vernon
Personally, I’m expecting to see a bit of a hybrid defense this year especially given this pick. The versatility Miami has on it’s defensive roster is astounding within the front seven. Every single player among those in the front seven can play multiple positions in multiple fronts and multiple schemes. This allows DC Kevin Coyle to not only rework his defensive strategy, but also add a new element to this already stout defense.
Grade: A+
Okay, so I love the pick. Miami gives up their beloved No. 42 pick for an all-pro caliber defensive end to pair with an all-pro defensive end. So what can we expect from Miami on Day 2?
Currently the team has three selections – 54 (2), 77(3), 82(3).
54 – The team still has a void at the tackle position. While the Jordan over Johnson pick could suggest the team feels comfortable with Nate Garner or John Jerry manning the right tackle position, I wouldn’t be surprised to see the team look at a tackle here if one is available. That’s just the issue, though. Long and Pugh are both gone. Watson is likely going in the top-end of round two.
Is it possible the team is throwing in the towel on the Albert trade and waiting until the draft concludes to sign former Kansas City Chief, Eric Winston? It’s quite possible. If the team passes on a tackle with it’s three Day 2 picks, I would assume Winston is the plan.
Other options at 54 include corner, safety and wide receiver. I’m expecting a huge run on corners in the second-round. Could Miami be looking at North Carolina State Corner David Amerson here? Quite possible.
Options include David Amerson, Jonathan Banks, Menelik Watson, Jonathan Cyprien (HA YEAH RIGHT I WISH!), Jamar Taylor, Darius Slay, Robert Alford, Quinton Patton, Robert Woods, Justin Hunter, Jordan Poyer, Terron Armstead, Zach Ertz (hated to, but HAD to).
77 – Many had the team looking at a pass rusher here at 77. With the pick of Jordan, we can instantly cross that need off the board. Miami beat writer, Ben Volin, suggested Miami trading the 77th pick to KC for Branden Albert. While I think that would be ideal, it will not and should not happen.
The 54th pick will ultimately decide what happens here at 77, but I’m expecting a corner here regardless. With the run on corners in the second and top end of the third, Miami will be pressed into taking one here if the team hopes to double down on corners this year.
Options include BW Webb, Blidi Wreh-Wilson, Dwayne Gratz.
82 – This is the true wild-card pick here. Miami needs a tailback, therefore the team could look at a guy like UCLA‘s Jonathan Franklin among others. The team could also use a slot wide receiver after basically coming out and saying that the team does not want Davone Bess anymore. The team could ALSO use a safety here.
Options include Jonathan Franklin, Montee Ball, Le’Veon Bell, Ryan Swope, Stedman Bailey, Markus Wheaton, Shamarko Thomas, Sanders Commings, Phillip Thomas.
Now, Miami very well could attempt to package their 54th pick and one of their thirds to move back up in to the top end of round two for a prospect. If the team does so, I’m looking at Cyprien or Watson as the guy. If not, I’m almost certain they’ll let the players fall into their lap and take the best one there.
Definitely shaping up to be an exciting Day 2!!!
http://www.nfl.com/draft/2013/profiles/dion-jordan?id=2539288
Apr 25, 2013; New York, NY, USA; Defensive end Dion Jordan (Oregon) is introduced as the third overall pick of the 2013 NFL Draft by the Miami Dolphins at Radio City Music Hall. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports