NFL Trade Machine: Miami Dolphins Jump Into Top 10

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

One of the teams that has garnered a lot of attention recently in terms of their desire to execute an NFL trade in the coming draft is the Miami Dolphins.  Word is they have heavy interest in getting as high it will take to select a wide receiver to pair with Kenny Stills.

Some sense can be made of the idea.  After their active free agency period that brought Ndamukong Suh to the defense and put some other key pieces in place, the general feeling is the Dolphins are ready to make a deep playoff run.  What they need is that last key piece to the puzzle and it seems a go-to wide receiver for Ryan Tannehill claims the crown.

The issue at hand is just how high are they willing to go and how much are they willing to give up?  Miami already gave up their 3rd round pick this year in the Stills trade with New Orleans, so they may have to get creative if they’re thinking a top 5 jump as some rumors have offered.

One idea would involve adding a player to the package.  A name that hasn’t come up in recent weeks but remains stuck in a sort of limbo is Dion Jordan.  The former #3 overall pick hasn’t found a niche in the Dolphins defense over the past two seasons, stuck behind Cameron Wake and Olivier Vernon.  Some believe he’s simply a bad fit for their 4-3 scheme and switching to outside linebacker in a 3-4 would take better advantage of his freak athleticism and speed.

So what Miami would want to do is two things.  Look into the top 10 and pinpoint teams that run a 3-4 system and then figure out if they are looking for pass rush help.  They may like what they find.

• Washington Redskins – #5 pick
• New York Jets – #6 pick
• Chicago Bears – #7 pick

All three of the teams listed above have 3-4 defenses and according to multiple reports and mock drafts are believed to have heavy interest in improving their pass rushes.  That gives the Miami Dolphins brass a 1-in-3 chance that one of the team might have interest in a young talent like Jordan coupled with a 2nd round pick.

If an NFL trade is in the works, this one could provide them the most bang for the buck.