Dolphins Finally Admit Mistake with Dion Jordan

Miami paid big to draft the Oregon pass rusher, but their mistake has cost them big time

Fearing Philadelphia Eagles coach and former Oregon coach Chip Kelly would draft Dion Jordan with the fourth overall pick the Miami Dolphins traded a first and second round pick to take the pass rusher third overall.

Only a couple of years later the Dolphins are departing from the third-overall pick, who started just one game in his career. The defensive end has not stepped on the football field and competed since 2014 after being suspended for violating the NFL performance-enhancing drug policy.

Ultimately the lineman will go down as one of the largest busts in NFL Draft history.

However, it’s taken Miami far too long to give Jordan the boot. They designated his release Friday as a failed physical. The team saves over $3 million in cap space by moving on from the 27-year-old, who recorded three sacks in 26 total games.

Jordan’s “legacy” will play a major impact heading into the NFL Draft where teams have been extremely cautious when drafting players with question marks off the field. Jordan suffered a torn shoulder labrum in college, and health was just one of many concerns for teams.

Ultimately Miami felt the could take on the pass rusher, which resulted in Philadelphia drafting star offensive tackle Lane Johnson from Oklahoma.

Jordan will ultimately go down as a “buyer beware” example that sets the trend towards drafting questionable players. This history will affect names such as Joe Mixon, Jourdan Lewis, and Dalvin Cook once the clock starts in Philadelphia next month.