2013 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Dion Jordan
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Strengths:
Elite athleticism
Explosive speed
Extremely fluid
Phenomenal playing in space
Dangerous pass-rusher
Extremely fast rushing off the edge
Excellent ability to drop in coverage
Very fast
Quick twitch; sudden athlete
Good tackler
Excellent in pursuit
Closes quickly
Great length
Frame to get bigger
Has some ball-skills in pass coverage
Intelligent; can learn multiple positions
Ready to play immediately in the NFL
Good motor
Can use his hands and feet at the same time
Huge upside, should be a much better pro
Great fit as a 3-4 outside linebacker
Weaknesses: Still a little raw
Could use more football-functional strength
Should continue to work on pass-rushing moves
Should continue to work on runs coming straight at him
Should continue to work on hand usage
Summary: There has been a lot of talk that the 2013 draft class lacks elite talent at the top. That is definitely true for the quarterback position, but there are some rare defensive front-seven prospects and Jordan is one of the headliners. He is an athletic freak who combines explosive speed with amazing athletic ability. There are very few players who have Jordan's agility and mobility as a linebacker. At times, he looks like a basketball player playing football.
Jordan started out his collegiate career at tight end. He was moved to defensive end in 2010 and recorded 33 tackles with 5.5 tackles for a loss. Jordan made real strides in 2011 and produced a lot more with 42 tackles, 13 tackles for a loss and 7.5 sacks. The junior was a First-Team All-Pac-12 selection.
Jordan had another good season this year with 44 tackles, 10.5 tackles for a loss, three forced fumbles and five sacks. Oregon's coaches hurt his pass-rushing opportunities as the team often dropped him into pass coverage. The Ducks were playing with big leads and often pulled Jordan from games in the second half as they emptied the bench. He also dealt with some injuries.
Because Jordan is so athletic, Oregon was creative with how its used him. THe Ducks had him ran for a two-point conversion in his collegiate final against Kansas State. He had scored two other two-point conversions in 2010.
Jordan put on a clinic in the field drills at the Combine. He was extremely fast in the 40 with a time of 4.60 seconds, fluid in the field drills and a natural as an outside linebacker. Jordan had shoulder surgery after the Combine and could start to add weight to his frame once he is done rehabbing.
It is clear that there are few players who have Jordan's athleticism and are capable of playing in the defensive front seven. He has a great burst off the snap to rush the passer around the edge. His closing speed is excellent for chasing down quarterbacks and running backs.
Jordan's game could use some refinement with him improving his pass-rushing moves, but in time, he could easily be one of the top outside linebackers in the NFL. Jordan is a natural in a 3-4 but also can play in a 4-3 system. With his rare speed and athleticism, he looks like a lock for a top-10 pick in the 2013 NFL Draft.
Player Comparison: Jason Taylor. Jordan is very unique, which makes it tough to find a good comparison to players playing in the NFL. Taylor (6-6, 245) is the most similar as he and Jordan are nearly identical in size. Both are fast and fluid athletes who are dangerous pass-rushers while also operating well in space. Taylor was a third-round pick in 1997 out of Akron, but Jordan figures to be a top-10 pick this April.
It isn't fair to Taylor or Jordan to say that Jordan will be as good as Taylor was. Taylor is sixth all-time in career sacks (139.5) and a future Hall of Famer. Jordan should be a very good pro, but reaching Taylor's heights isn't a fair expectation. However, they have a similar skill set and Jordan could be used in a comparable manner to Taylor.
NFL Matches: Jacksonville, Philadelphia, Detroit, New York Jets, San Diego
There are a few landing spots for Jordan in the top 10. The highest he could hope to go is to the Jaguars with the second-overall pick. Jordan is said to be a good scheme fit for Jacksonville's new defense under head coach Gus Bradley. The Jaguars need to improve their linebackers and pass rush, so Jordan makes sense.
The Eagles could consider Jordan with the fourth selection even though they don't need a rush linebacker. Jordan's college coach Chip Kelly is the Eagles new head coach and their history could land Jordan in Philadelphia.
If Jordan is available for the Lions, he could be very tempting for Martin Mayhew. Detroit needs better play out of its linebackers and Jordan could help replace Cliff Avril's edge rushing.
It seems unlikely that Jordan would fall past the Jets with the ninth pick. They need an edge-rusher badly, and Jordan is an ideal scheme fit for Rex Ryan.
The Chargers could use another rush linebacker to go with Melvin Ingram, so if Jordan falls out of the top 10, he could get quickly snatched up by San Diego.
Teams that could consider trading up for Jordan include the Rams, Saints and Steelers. All three need help at outside linebacker.
RELATED LINKS:
2013 NFL Mock Draft: Charlie's | Walt's
2013 NFL Draft Prospect Rankings
2013 NFL Draft Scouting Reports
Weaknesses:
Summary: There has been a lot of talk that the 2013 draft class lacks elite talent at the top. That is definitely true for the quarterback position, but there are some rare defensive front-seven prospects and Jordan is one of the headliners. He is an athletic freak who combines explosive speed with amazing athletic ability. There are very few players who have Jordan's agility and mobility as a linebacker. At times, he looks like a basketball player playing football.
Jordan started out his collegiate career at tight end. He was moved to defensive end in 2010 and recorded 33 tackles with 5.5 tackles for a loss. Jordan made real strides in 2011 and produced a lot more with 42 tackles, 13 tackles for a loss and 7.5 sacks. The junior was a First-Team All-Pac-12 selection.
Jordan had another good season this year with 44 tackles, 10.5 tackles for a loss, three forced fumbles and five sacks. Oregon's coaches hurt his pass-rushing opportunities as the team often dropped him into pass coverage. The Ducks were playing with big leads and often pulled Jordan from games in the second half as they emptied the bench. He also dealt with some injuries.
Because Jordan is so athletic, Oregon was creative with how its used him. THe Ducks had him ran for a two-point conversion in his collegiate final against Kansas State. He had scored two other two-point conversions in 2010.
Jordan put on a clinic in the field drills at the Combine. He was extremely fast in the 40 with a time of 4.60 seconds, fluid in the field drills and a natural as an outside linebacker. Jordan had shoulder surgery after the Combine and could start to add weight to his frame once he is done rehabbing.
It is clear that there are few players who have Jordan's athleticism and are capable of playing in the defensive front seven. He has a great burst off the snap to rush the passer around the edge. His closing speed is excellent for chasing down quarterbacks and running backs.
Jordan's game could use some refinement with him improving his pass-rushing moves, but in time, he could easily be one of the top outside linebackers in the NFL. Jordan is a natural in a 3-4 but also can play in a 4-3 system. With his rare speed and athleticism, he looks like a lock for a top-10 pick in the 2013 NFL Draft.
Player Comparison: Jason Taylor. Jordan is very unique, which makes it tough to find a good comparison to players playing in the NFL. Taylor (6-6, 245) is the most similar as he and Jordan are nearly identical in size. Both are fast and fluid athletes who are dangerous pass-rushers while also operating well in space. Taylor was a third-round pick in 1997 out of Akron, but Jordan figures to be a top-10 pick this April.
It isn't fair to Taylor or Jordan to say that Jordan will be as good as Taylor was. Taylor is sixth all-time in career sacks (139.5) and a future Hall of Famer. Jordan should be a very good pro, but reaching Taylor's heights isn't a fair expectation. However, they have a similar skill set and Jordan could be used in a comparable manner to Taylor.
NFL Matches: Jacksonville, Philadelphia, Detroit, New York Jets, San Diego
There are a few landing spots for Jordan in the top 10. The highest he could hope to go is to the Jaguars with the second-overall pick. Jordan is said to be a good scheme fit for Jacksonville's new defense under head coach Gus Bradley. The Jaguars need to improve their linebackers and pass rush, so Jordan makes sense.
The Eagles could consider Jordan with the fourth selection even though they don't need a rush linebacker. Jordan's college coach Chip Kelly is the Eagles new head coach and their history could land Jordan in Philadelphia.
If Jordan is available for the Lions, he could be very tempting for Martin Mayhew. Detroit needs better play out of its linebackers and Jordan could help replace Cliff Avril's edge rushing.
It seems unlikely that Jordan would fall past the Jets with the ninth pick. They need an edge-rusher badly, and Jordan is an ideal scheme fit for Rex Ryan.
The Chargers could use another rush linebacker to go with Melvin Ingram, so if Jordan falls out of the top 10, he could get quickly snatched up by San Diego.
Teams that could consider trading up for Jordan include the Rams, Saints and Steelers. All three need help at outside linebacker.
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RELATED LINKS:
2013 NFL Mock Draft: Charlie's | Walt's
2013 NFL Draft Prospect Rankings
2013 NFL Draft Scouting Reports