The Dolphins’ invisible man, Dion Jordan
By Peter Smith
The Miami Dolphins traded up from the 12th pick in the NFL draft to move up to 3rd pick to get Dion Jordan out of Oregon at the cost of a second round pick. There was a great deal of criticism at the time because the Dolphins could have selected a left tackle. When the trade happened at the time of the draft, many thought the Dolphins were moving up to select Lane Johnson from Oklahoma to do just that, but took Jordan while Johnson went to the Philadelphia Eagles with the following pick. Halfway into his rookie season, Jordan has just 8 solo tackles and one sack, which happened in the first game of the season against the Cleveland Browns.
While his athletic ability and potential was overhyped in the NFL Draft, something the Miami Dolphins clearly bought, Jordan was a project. He had a lot of technical issues coming out of Oregon and really did not have a position. Jordan was a one trick pony who won with speed on the outside, struggled to take on blocks and still had a lot to figure out as a player.
The problem for the Dolphins is their problems at left tackle are real. After initially trying to put Jonathan Martin there, who has struggled and is currently going through an unfortunate personal situation, the Dolphins were forced to bring in Bryant McKinnie to try and stabilize the position. That is not working. The Dolphins have a second year quarterback in Ryan Tannehill in which they are trying to make sure he succeeds. Having a problematic offensive line makes that success difficult.
In the defense of the Dolphins, Johnson has had his share of troubles in Philadelphia and that not been an instant success either, but nevertheless, that choice looks questionable initially. Jordan could develop into a franchise pass rusher and people will forget about this move, but for the moment, with the last 7 games and virtually no impact whatsoever from Jordan, it puts the move square in the forefront. The Dolphins have a week and a half to prepare to play the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and get back over .500 to start the second half of the season.