Dolphins must give Dion Jordan one last shot
By Dan Heaning
Dion Jordan is considered one of the biggest busts in Miami Dolphins draft history. Regardless, the team still needs to give him one last shot and he needs to make the most of it.
The Dion Jordan saga has been nothing short of a migraine for the Miami Dolphins. Jordan came to Miami as the third overall pick in the 2013 NFL Entry Draft. Former general manager Jeff Ireland traded away the 12th and 42nd overall picks to move up to the third spot to land the Oregon Duck standout.
It was a move that was baffling to some as Lane Johnson was available and Jordan was a pass rushing linebacker in Oregon’s 3-4 defense. But others dreamed of a fearful pass rush. One with Cameron Wake on one side and the so-called next Jason Taylor on the other.
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Since then, he’s failed as many drug tests as he’s racked up sacks. His most productive season was his rookie campaign when he was saddled with mostly special teams work and hampered by a shoulder injury.
This would, justifiably, lead many to just want to end it. Cut ties with Jordan and move on.
Not so fast, my friend. The Dolphins are willing to give Dion Jordan another chance, but it has to be a last chance.
Jordan’s professional career has bottomed out. There’s nowhere to go but up or out of the league. However, with pictures emerging on social media of Jordan training and his agent declaring him the “comeback player of the year,” it appears that he’ll file for reinstatement. And the Dolphins should welcome him back with open arms.
This is a low risk, high reward scenario. If Jordan fails again, it’s par for the course. The Dolphins can severe all ties and move on. Yet, if Jordan succeeds, he can offer Miami something they sorely need: youth at the edges.
With Wake extended through 2017 and Mario Williams signed for two seasons, the Dolphins best two defensive ends are in their 30s.
Miami has other options for younger defensive ends, but not many. Andre Branch signed with the Dolphins after four seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Terrence Fede and Chris McCain are a pair of 24-year-olds, but it’s questionable whether either of them are starting material.
Jordan, at 26, is just a year younger than Wake when he came to Miami and the NFL. With a full year off, Jordan’s suspension may have been a blessing in disguise.
Football is a physically taxing game and that time to heal up from the brutality is invaluable. The separation from the field also may have served as a time for Jordan to ponder if a career in the NFL was something he really wanted to continue.
The combination of a healthy body and clear mind should be what Jordan needs to push himself past the drama and develop into a solid NFL player.
But it’s not just going to be handed to him. Branch’s presence will test Jordan. And if the Oregon alum doesn’t respond, Branch will undoubtedly take his place.
However, the Dolphins have some intriguing defensive ends and a few of them will likely have to be cut before the season begins. That’s really the only drawback about keeping Jordan around.
A defensive end or two will likely have to hit the open market to make room for Jordan because cutting him has zero cap benefit. That reverses after this year, though. Parting ways with Jordan after this upcoming campaign gives the Dolphins about $3.2 million in cap space without any dead money.
Bringing Jordan back to compete come training camp is a must for the Dolphins. Teams don’t recover quickly from wasting top five picks. Those players are supposed to be elite, generational talents, the future of the franchise. But make no mistake, this is can only be a final shot for Jordan. Patience can only go so far and a team can only be burned so many times.
Therefore, the Dolphins need to see this future through for just one more season before they seek a different one.