The Dolphins are set to draft eighth in the first round this year, which would be their highest selection since trading up to the third pick to select defensive end Dion Jordan in 2013.
Wherever they wind up picking, the Dolphins will be hoping for bigger success than they’ve found with Jordan in his first three years in the NFL. Jordan has 46 tackles and three sacks in 26 NFL appearances and didn’t play at all in 2015 while serving a suspension for violating the substance abuse policy.
Jordan can apply for reinstatement from that suspension in April, but the Dolphins don’t sound like they are making any plans around his return. Vice president of football operations Mike Tannenbaum said the team will run a “meritocracy” when it comes to playing time and General Manager Chris Grier outlined what the team needs to see from Jordan for him to work back into the lineup.
“I think everyone needs to prove something,” Grier said, via the Miami Herald. “We talk about creating a competitive environment with guys that want to be a Miami Dolphin and want to be here and love the game and compete. Obviously, what happens whether he gets reinstated or not from that point we’ll make that decision once we see him and get him in the building.”
Olivier Vernon and Derrick Shelby are both headed for free agency and Cam Wake is coming back from a torn Achilles, so defensive end is a spot where they could need some reinforcement. Based on Tuesday’s answers, the Dolphins won’t be putting all their eggs in Jordan’s basket when it comes to providing it.