Fansided

NFL: 10 players who will become stars in 2014

By Pete Schauer

Nov 17, 2013; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback EJ Manuel (3) calls a play during a game against the New York Jets at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 17, 2013; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback EJ Manuel (3) calls a play during a game against the New York Jets at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports /
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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
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 /

Dion Jordan, DE, Miami Dolphins

The Miami Dolphins traded up nine spots to grab defensive end Dion Jordan in the 2013 NFL draft, so this guy has to pay off, right?

Yes.

If you watched Jordan play at Oregon, you watched him fly all over the field and combine for 12.5 sacks in his last two seasons with the Ducks.  Despite Jordan being suspended for the first four games of the 2014 NFL season due to violating the NFL’s policy on banned substances, Jordan will still be difference-maker for Miami’s defense this season.

He gained 15 pounds of muscle during the offseason, and regardless of your beliefs on how he did it, the facts are that Jordan is a physical specimen and will benefit from Cameron Wake and Olivier Vernon also rushing the QB.

Although he only accounted for two sacks last season, Jordan’s added bulk and offseason work should help him improve upon that mark. Miami is a team on the rise–especially defensively–and they’ll only get better this season with Jordan’s play elevating.

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