The Dolphins have been aggressive all offseason, and taking a swing at a player beyond what would have normally been their means paid off.
Dolphins general manager Jeff Ireland described their move up to get Oregon defensive end Dion Jordan as a case of not knowing what you can get unless you ask.
The Dolphins traded up to third with a desperate-to-add Raiders team, and they didn’t have to add nearly as much as you’d think.
“There’s nothing better than when you get … [the] guy who you really loved,” owner Stephen Ross said, via Adam Beasley of the Miami Herald. “It’s a great day. The value of the kid, with as little as they had to [give up] for him . . . is incredible.”
Miami sent the 12th and 42nd picks to Oakland for the third. Going by the traditional trade chart, that’s short of a fair deal by 520 points, or the value of the 38th pick in the draft.
But with so many people trying to trade out of the top of the first, and the Raiders knowing they liked the off-the-menu D.J. Hayden, they felt good making the deal.
The Dolphins felt great.
The idea was born when Ross asked his football guys which players they wanted most, regardless of position. Jordan’s name kept coming up. Ireland made a call while the Raiders were on the clock, was rebuffed, but the Raiders called back later and asked for the one and two.
“He was a player that we coveted quite a bit,” Ireland said. “We was very high on our board. We think he’s an outstanding talent, has tremendous versatility. He’s a great kid. We think the world of the player and what he’s capable of doing.”
The fact they were able to pull off the move while retaining their 54th pick, which could enable them to make a run at Branden Albert again, made it a great deal.