Dolphins Still Looking To Trade Jordan?
By Brian Miller
Sep 22, 2013; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins defensive end Dion Jordan (95) reacts after defeating the Atlanta Falcons at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Travel about 32 miles North of Philadelphia and you will come to a town called Pottsville. In that town is a newspaper and somehow they have some information that for whatever reason no one else seems to have. It seems as though Bob Grotz of “The Mercury” has learned that the Eagles and Miami Dolphins have spoken about a possible trade for Dion Jordan.
According to Grotz, who quotes an “respected NFL insider”, the Eagles were willing and apparently offered OLB/DE Brandon Graham and their 2nd round pick for last years number three overall. Now as far as rumors fly there isn’t much here except the fact that this isn’t the first time we have heard that the Eagles and Dolphins might have tossed around some conversations regarding the subject. The problem here is, that seems to be lost is the fact that had an offer actually been made, two months ago, it couldn’t have been consummated until the start of the new year which is now at one month and teams usually don’t discuss trades in detail leading up to that time.
We can however assume one thing here. If, and it’s an “IF” no way around it, this is true, that the two teams have indeed spoken, then the Dolphins despite the cap ramifications and denials are indeed interested in moving Jordan out of Miami.
Philadelphia is of course a natural landing spot for Jordan given his college coach Chip Kelly and the teams need for an edge rusher. Philadelphia can absorb his contract as well. The question is are the Dolphins genuinely interested? The answer to that has to be a yes. If as I said, there was interest enough to hold a conversation. What it comes down to is compensation. Could the Dolphins simply be holding out for the Eagles first round pick? If that is the case, the Eagles who hold the 22nd pick in this coming draft could package that with a player and Miami very well may bite.
For the Dolphins it would be a huge slap into the former GM’s face who moved up to three to draft Jordan only a year ago. Joe Philbin however didn’t see the same potential and limited his game reps all season. When Jordan was playing he appeared quick at times. The Dolphins are deep on the edge and Olivier Vernon played well most of last season making Jordan’s playing time harder to obtain. The Dolphins would however take a 10 million dollar cap hit in 2014 by trading him prior to June 1st.
If the Dolphins did in fact pull the trigger on the trade and obtained the 22nd pick in the draft it’s possible they could double up on offensive lineman in round one or at the very least have the affordability to draft BPA with their 19th overall pick and then draft a lineman at number 22 three picks later. What appears to be a boring draft for Miami in round one given their needs on the offensive line could shift to being an exciting time with two first round selections.
If of course anything that has been printed is true.