Dolphins’ release of Jordan ends 2013 draft class
By Brian Miller
The Miami Dolphins released Dion Jordan on Friday night and with his departure came the end of the 2013 draft class.
Earlier this morning, or maybe it was last night, Profootballtalk.com beat to this topic. Yet I had already started writing it so oh, well.
This off-season the Dolphins 2013 draft class came to an end with more than just the departure of Dion Jordan. 2013 was the final year that Jeff Ireland ran the teams draft. Internal fighting between Ireland, head coach Joe Philbin, and executive Dawn Aponte escalated to the point of no return by the end of the 2013 season.
Despite his high draft position, Jordan was never able to get onto the field enough to prove his value and then off-field issues took control. When the 2013 season ended the rift between Ireland and Philbin finally drew the attention of Stephen Ross. A day after the Dolphins “asked” Philbin to fire OC Mike Sherman, Jeff Ireland was out as well.
The 2013 draft was not a complete disaster but the lack of top end talent production hurt badly. Jordan was supposed to be a day one starter but Philbin didn’t like starting rookies so he rode the sidelines.
Aside from Jordan the Dolphins let Dion Sims and Jelani Jenkins leave via free agency a short month ago. Sims was drafted in round 4 shortly after Jenkins. Sims played well enough to be considered for a new contract extension but the Dolphins wanted better production from the position.
Jenkins stood out as a solid but inconsistent player due to injuries. His breakout year came in 2014 after injuries on the outside provided him playing time. The 4th round pick is now with the Raiders.
The Dion Jordan trade up comes with the realization that Miami essentially swapped CB Vontae Davis and their first round pick for Jordan. The Dolphins had traded Davis to the Colts for a 2nd round pick the previous year. Miami then traded their 2nd round pick to Oakland in the trade up and used the Colts pick to draft CB Jamar Taylor.
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The drafting of Taylor did not go as plans and he was shipped to Cleveland for a swap of 7th rounders with the Browns.
Then there is the Dallas Thomas 3rd round pick. Thomas was average depth at best and was inconsistent in both run and pass protection. He lasted in Miami until the 4th week of the 2016 season when Adam Gase released him and 2015 draft pick Billy Turner.
What makes the 2013 draft so bad was wasted number of selections. Miami ended the weekend with nine total selections including Will Davis with a 2nd third round pick and Mike Gillislee in the 5th round. The Dolphins surprised some by spending a 5th round pick on kicker Caleb Sturgis as well. Don Jones rounded out the draft in round 7.
Overall the Dolphins had one first round pick, two 2nd round picks (traded one to move up for Jordan), two third round picks, two fourth and two 5th’s and one 7th. All now gone.
If 2013 was bad it’s safe to say that 2014 wasn’t much better and will be scrutinized after the 2017 season. The Dolphins drafted Ja’Wuan James in round one and Jarvis Landry in round 2 but failed on Billy Turner, Arthur Lynch, Jordan Tripp, and Matt Hazel. Landry, James, 7th round pick Terence Fede, and Walt Aikens are all that remains from that class.