Dion Jordan Available – A Target for the Jacksonville Jaguars?

Opinions were varied leading up to the 2013 NFL draft about who the Jacksonville Jaguars would take with the 2nd overall pick. They ended up with left tackle Luke Joeckel out of Texas A&M, but many viewed Dion Jordan from Oregon as a perfect fit for head coach Gus Bradley and his defense. Jordan is a versatile athlete who can rush the passer from all over the field and is an ideal player for the LEO position.

Nov 24, 2013; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins defensive end Dion Jordan (95) reacts after sacking Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) during the second quarter at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Jordan was eventually selected by the Miami Dolphins immediately after Joeckel, but the Dolphins have apparently become disenchanted with him after one season.

The Dolphins certainly won’t get a first round pick in return for Jordan with their intentions now public, and even a second round pick might be pushing it. If the Jaguars could snag Jordan with a 3rd round pick they should absolutely go for it. Jordan still has a ton of potential and should flourish with a team that uses him in a more suitable role, rather than sticking him at 4-3 defensive end and hoping for the best. The Jaguars were forced to rotate Jason Babin and Andre Branch in at the LEO position, but a player with the speed and length of Jordan could serve as a massive upgrade. Jordan would probably have as much, if not more, value than any pass rusher that the Jaguars could potentially get in the 3rd round of this years draft.

On the flip side, it’s hard to see David Caldwell parting with draft picks for any reason except possibly a franchise quarterback. We’ll just have to wait and see.

-Daniel Lago

Yell at me on Twitter @dlago89