Dion Jordan - DE/OLB - Oregon

[Witten4HOF]

Don't sleep on Dion's ability to cover this new breed of athletic tight end. It is a huge asset to have somebody so long and fluid, not to mention having decent ball skills coming from a wr/te past.

Even though he doesn't have elite rush skills he has the athleticism to beat tackles off of the snap which is the most important trait you would look for.

My issue with Jordan will be his ability to anchor if teams run right at him. He has good bend and fights off blocks but boy is he light in the pants. My guess is he would show up at the combine 6'6 245 but still could use another 10-15 lbs of good weight to hold up.

[brasho]

I think his best role would be in a 4-3 like that of Von Miller in Denver. On running downs he is a Sam and on passing downs he goes to DE. That's the way I've always viewed him. You don't want him taking on RTs and double teams against the run but you don't want him constantly playing space and not moving forward often either. You kind of have to play him in a Miller role to get the most out of him.

[nobodyinparticular]

Originally Posted by brasho

I think his best role would be in a 4-3 like that of Von Miller in Denver. On running downs he is a Sam and on passing downs he goes to DE. That's the way I've always viewed him. You don't want him taking on RTs and double teams against the run but you don't want him constantly playing space and not moving forward often either. You kind of have to play him in a Miller role to get the most out of him.

I know Von Miller is the hot comparison for Jordan, but I really think Jordan's better comp is Julian Peterson. He's much more of a 4-3 OLB than a DE hybrid. He's more lengthy and fluid than Miller and isn't as sudden as Miller either.

[Duffman57]

Originally Posted by nobodyinparticular

I know Von Miller is the hot comparison for Jordan, but I really think Jordan's better comp is Julian Peterson. He's much more of a 4-3 OLB than a DE hybrid. He's more lengthy and fluid than Miller and isn't as sudden as Miller either.

Dion is a pure 3-4 OLB, great at setting the edge despite not being thick at all, and being tall, and a very talented pass rusher, and can obviously cover. For some reason he reminds me of Jason Taylor, but obviously just in play style. He's got that same move that JT got a lot of his sacks on, that big slap down move to the outside, where he turns the corner real quick...and obviously that same killer instinct and motor. Similar types of emotion leaders as well, or at least Dion's been that type of leader for this Oregon D.

[phlysac]

Originally Posted by nobodyinparticular

I know Von Miller is the hot comparison for Jordan, but I really think Jordan's better comp is Julian Peterson. He's much more of a 4-3 OLB than a DE hybrid. He's more lengthy and fluid than Miller and isn't as sudden as Miller either.

I always see Julian Peterson and Manny Lawson when I watch Jordan.

[brasho]

Originally Posted by phlysac

I always see Julian Peterson and Manny Lawson when I watch Jordan.

Very interesting comparisons. Manny Lawson was/is a physical freak that couldn't translate athleticism into production. Peterson got the most of his ability.

[phlysac]

Originally Posted by brasho

Very interesting comparisons. Manny Lawson was/is a physical freak that couldn't translate athleticism into production. Peterson got the most of his ability.

That's the thing... Lawson has simply blown my mind many times with his ability to cover receivers in space. This is something that Jordan is often praised for. Lawson never really put it together to become a consistent sack artist. Will Jordan be seen similarly if he's a freak in coverage but just another guy in QB pressures?

[stlouisfan37]

Any thoughts on where Jordan goes in this draft? I would love to have him in St. Louis at #16 but I fear he may be gone by then.

[bored of education]

I would not be shocked if Dion Jordan goes 2nd overall to the Jags and I dont see Jordan falling out of the top 10.

[derza222]

Interesting article on Jordan and Kenjon Barner. Jordan is training and attempting to put on weight as you might expect (supposedly is trying to get to 250 by the combine), but he's at 234 right now - up 7 pounds from when he started training. Apparently he was playing in the mid-high 220's, which is pretty wild and obviously much lighter than where he was listed.

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-sh...8726--nfl.html

[bitonti]

Originally Posted by derza222

Interesting article on Jordan and Kenjon Barner. Jordan is training and attempting to put on weight as you might expect (supposedly is trying to get to 250 by the combine), but he's at 234 right now - up 7 pounds from when he started training. Apparently he was playing in the mid-high 220's, which is pretty wild and obviously much lighter than where he was listed.

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-sh...8726--nfl.html

I am also a concerned Jets fan that Jordan is a top 10 pick. He's certainly an exciting athlete and has huge potential. if that was the pick, because he runs a 4.5 at 260 ok fair enough.

but there is a devils advocate position on this player:

-is his height of 6'7" is real? If it is, it presents leverage issues at outside linebacker. How does a guy that tall backpedal? If he's 6'4" and a half, this is actually good news for 3-4 teams. at a legit 6'7" a better projection is to bulk him up big time and put him in a 4-3, 3 years from now. or should have been a left tackle?

-could be shades of Aaron Maybin with the weight issues. Oregon ran an up tempo football program maybe that's why he kept losing weight. But it's a real good OLB year. he's not a legit 260 like Moore, Monty and Mingo and he didn't produce like Jarvis Jones at 240. it will be interesting to see where he ends up in March or whenever pro day. and can he sustain that growth?

-the Oregon pedigree isn't exactly amazing when it comes to NFL defenders.

[Babylon]

Originally Posted by stlouisfan37

Any thoughts on where Jordan goes in this draft? I would love to have him in St. Louis at #16 but I fear he may be gone by then.

Not sure you can afford a backup DE in the first round, unless you were going to use some sort of Bear defense (1985 version), which is always a possiblity with Jeff Fisher there.

[Duffman57]

Originally Posted by bitonti

I am also a concerned Jets fan that Jordan is a top 10 pick. He's certainly an exciting athlete and has huge potential. if that was the pick, because he runs a 4.5 at 260 ok fair enough.

but there is a devils advocate position on this player:

-is his height of 6'7" is real? If it is, it presents leverage issues at outside linebacker. How does a guy that tall backpedal? If he's 6'4" and a half, this is actually good news for 3-4 teams. at a legit 6'7" a better projection is to bulk him up big time and put him in a 4-3, 3 years from now. or should have been a left tackle?

-could be shades of Aaron Maybin with the weight issues. Oregon ran an up tempo football program maybe that's why he kept losing weight. But it's a real good OLB year. he's not a legit 260 like Moore, Monty and Mingo and he didn't produce like Jarvis Jones at 240. it will be interesting to see where he ends up in March or whenever pro day. and can he sustain that growth?

-the Oregon pedigree isn't exactly amazing when it comes to NFL defenders.

I've played basketball vs him before, he's close to a legit 6'7", probably right around 6'6" though. But he's REALLY tall and REALLY lanky, he's gonna come in with really long arms. I think Oregon prefers lighter, faster defenders, as their "drop end" spot player, where DJ plays, is usually really tall and lanky and usually pretty light. Boseko Lokombo, who plays opposite Jordan is around 6'3" 230.

Lol at the notion of Mingo being 260, the guys a STICK.

The Oregon pedigree isn't exactly amazing anywhere. Honestly you could say its better on D. Haloti Ngata is among the best in the league. Oregon just plain really didn't have the NFL talent before the last couple years. You can really only point to two guys who were real NFL talents, and they were monsters for us in J Stew and Ngata.

[stlouisfan37]

Originally Posted by Babylon

Not sure you can afford a backup DE in the first round, unless you were going to use some sort of Bear defense (1985 version), which is always a possiblity with Jeff Fisher there.

I think he could be a very good fit with the Rams. Fisher likes to switch things up in the front 7 a lot. I think he can play SLB. His speed vs. the run, his coverage skills against TE's. And on obvious passing downs, he could move into a DE position while Long kicks inside, which they have done some in the past. Versatility is what a lot of teams are looking for, and I think his size, skill set and athleticism make him as versatile as anyone in this draft.

[CrossOfDeath]

Originally Posted by Duffman57

I've played basketball vs him before, he's close to a legit 6'7", probably right around 6'6" though. But he's REALLY tall and REALLY lanky, he's gonna come in with really long arms. I think Oregon prefers lighter, faster defenders, as their "drop end" spot player, where DJ plays, is usually really tall and lanky and usually pretty light. Boseko Lokombo, who plays opposite Jordan is around 6'3" 230.

Lol at the notion of Mingo being 260, the guys a STICK.

The Oregon pedigree isn't exactly amazing anywhere. Honestly you could say its better on D. Haloti Ngata is among the best in the league. Oregon just plain really didn't have the NFL talent before the last couple years. You can really only point to two guys who were real NFL talents, and they were monsters for us in J Stew and Ngata.

T.J. Ward and Jairus Byrd would also like to say hi!

[Armchair Scout]

I think Jordan's best position is definitely as a 3-4 OLB. He has excellent play recognition, sets the edge well, can cover very well for the position, and is a good speed rusher. I don't really like him as a 4-3 OLB because his height puts him at a disadvantage making tackles in space, and he is better at setting the edge than getting off blocks in traffic. Also, he is a bit light for a 4-3 end and his coverage skills would be better utilized as an OLB.

I like Jordan a lot as a prospect, even though I don't think he has the positional versatility some believe he has. He isn't a great pure pass rusher at this point, but he uses his hands really well and bends well for a 6'7" guy. Give him time to develop some pass rushing moves and he could become a very good pass rusher.

My biggest issue with Jordan's pass rushing ability is his lack of power. He won't have that bull rush to get linemen on their heels, at least not at the weight he is now. He could develop interior speed moves, but those aren't as effective if he can't bull rush. Still, he is one of the more complete 3-4 OLB prospects in the draft.

[BuckeyeDan17]

If this dude tests well at the combine (or any other well-tested player) you can pretty much call him a lock to the browns. Mike LOLmbardi loves measurementzzz/freakzz

Won't matter if he's actually good or bad at football.

[Babylon]

Originally Posted by BuckeyeDan17

If this dude tests well at the combine (or any other well-tested player) you can pretty much call him a lock to the browns. Mike LOLmbardi loves measurementzzz/freakzz

Won't matter if he's actually good or bad at football.

Is that the Lombardi that was at NFL network? no offense but I found him to be clueless.

[BuckeyeDan17]

Originally Posted by Babylon

Is that the Lombardi that was at NFL network? no offense but I found him to be clueless.

Yeah. We hired the guy that thought Joe Haden was too slow to be a good corner. The same dip **** who felt Josh Gordon was an absolute waste of a pick.

Yeah, he's running the Browns draft now.

Lawlz

[Duffman57]

Originally Posted by kiwi

Jairus Byrd is a Top 10 safety and arguably the best young FS in the league (along with Earl Thomas)

Completely forgot about all the DB's. Thurmond was good, Chung, Ward and Byrd were all productive.

[SenorGato]

Originally Posted by kiwi

Jairus Byrd is a Top 10 safety and arguably the best young FS in the league (along with Earl Thomas)

Byrd is dirty. Been a fan since his last year at Oregon, and he's been making an impact since his rookie year.

OK that was my addition to this.

Jordan's upside, to me, is the good version of Calvin Pace with less FFs and more PDs. Something like Pace's '07 season.

[CrossOfDeath]

I really like the potential of this guy. His coverage ability for a 34 backer is unmatched. He could be the best coverage 34 backer the very first time he sets football on an NFL field. He also has high upside as a pass rusher. He bends exceptionally well around the corner. Contrary to popular believe he does actually use a varity of pass rush moves as well its just that he doesn't often need to use them because he is either in coverage or blows by the OT before he needs to make a move. His sack numbers are not exactly high either, however, when you are rushing the passer 50% less than the other pass rusher your stats will never compare.

He does have some flaws he needs to work on such as getting too high at times as well as his weight. It is very worrisome that he played at 226. I believe Aaron Maybin was too lazy to put in the work to keep his weight up. I don't have the same fear with Dion who is a hardworker and leader who will put the time in. It is a matter of how his body handles it. If his body will allow him to put on weight as well as keep it on and not lose his explosiveness then he can be a star.

[nepg]

I like Dion Jordan, but why hasn't Kiko Alonso gotten much hype? In the Oregon games I've watched, it's been Kiko that's in on every play.

[nobodyinparticular]

Originally Posted by nepg

I like Dion Jordan, but why hasn't Kiko Alonso gotten much hype? In the Oregon games I've watched, it's been Kiko that's in on every play.

I've been wondering the same thing. I love Alonso.

[bigbuc]

Originally Posted by phlysac

I always see Julian Peterson and Manny Lawson when I watch Jordan.

Manny yes... But how is being Peterson a bad thing? If Jordan can be Peterson he should go top 7