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Countdown to Kickoff: Profile on Miami Dolphins No. 95 Dion Jordan

By Kevin Parvizi

Dec 14, 2014; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) throws over Miami Dolphins defensive end Dion Jordan (95) during the second half of the New England Patriots 41-13 win over the Miami Dolphins at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 14, 2014; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) throws over Miami Dolphins defensive end Dion Jordan (95) during the second half of the New England Patriots 41-13 win over the Miami Dolphins at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports /
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We’re counting down the days until the NFL season kicks off, and with 95 days left, we turn to a breakout sleeper in Miami Dolphins DE Dion Jordan.

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Adam Gase and Mike Tannenbaum have taken control, and things are looking up for the Miami Dolphins, who finally seem to have a legitimate head coach on their hands. Gase, after all, guided Chicago Bears oft-maligned quarterback Jay Cutler to his best season in several years despite a myriad of injuries to the skill position players around him.

Most of the Dolphins hopes and dreams lie on the shoulders of Ryan Tannehill and their offense, because they do have several questions on the defensive side of the ball. Are Byron Maxwell and Xavien Howard the answers at cornerback? Will Mario Williams try and succeed as Olivier Vernon‘s replacement? Is Kiko Alonso poised for a bounce-back season?

NFL fans are smarter than ever, and many Dolphins followers have concocted a new question. Can Dion Jordan get on the field and be one of the league’s most prominent X-Factors?

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When the Dolphins traded up to draft Jordan with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft, they did so without a plan in place. Instead of developing Jordan and understanding that he wouldn’t be a traditional defensive end, the uncreative ‘Fins coaching staff coaxed just three sacks out of him in his first two seasons with just three passes defended.

For the first time, there shouldn’t be a disconnect on how to use Jordan, and there’s hope that if the former Oregon Ducks star is reinstated, Gase and touted defensive coordinator Vance Joseph will know what to do with him.

Coming out of college, Jordan was a 6’6″, 248-pound beast who ran a blistering 4.54 forty with a 10 ft 2 in. broad jump and a 4.35 20-yard shuttle. Those are the kinds of numbers that can make Jordan an excellent outside linebacker if the Dolphins choose to convert his position, though they do have Jelani Jenkins and Koa Misi on the roster.

Here’s an excerpt from his NFL.com draft profile.

"Lines up against slot receivers and tight ends, managing to stay with them in the open field in spite of his size. Flashes quickness and bend to beat tackles around the corner, can counter with an inside rush or spin move."

Whatever the Dolphins choose to do with Jordan, they need to get the most out of his versatility. He’s such a unique talent, in that he’s a big man who has the speed and quickness to cover tight ends effectively. Just check out the play below.

That’s insane. By the way, if Jordan ends up having a breakout season, give all the credit in the world to Bleacher Report’s Ian Wharton, who should be considered the first man to truly bang the drum on the 26-year-old.

The Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson brought up the idea of Jordan moving to outside linebacker for the 2016 season, citing both the Dolphins greater need for an OLB than a DE and the fact that he is now playing at “a bit under 270 pounds”.

Nov 23, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Miami Dolphins defensive end Dion Jordan (95) prepares to pass rush in the first quarter against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 23, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Miami Dolphins defensive end Dion Jordan (95) prepares to pass rush in the first quarter against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /

Jordan is waiting to hear if he will be reinstated, so that is the first “What if?”. But if it does happen, which it should when you look at the circumstances surrounding his suspension, he could become one of the league’s biggest comeback stories. And who doesn’t love those?

Another reason to root for him? The NFL Network’s Rand Getlin said that he’s “overcome huge hurdles in his life”.

More NFL: Who are the greatest defensive players in NFL history?

Remember, Jordan wasn’t some overrated, talentless hack coming out of college. Far from a gimmicky player, Jordan was seen as the type of player who could help change the game, because he did just about everything at an elite level for the Ducks. There’s hope that a player the Dolphins aggressively traded up for in 2013 can shine if given a real chance.

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