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April 22, 2013We are less than a week from the NFL Draft, also known as the most important day of the year for your Cleveland Browns. With (another) new regime taking over the reigns and new schemes in place on both sides of the ball, it is crucial that Joe Banner, Mike Lombardi, Ray Farmer, Rob Chudzinski and the crew nail these three days. It all starts Thursday night with the primetime First Round.
The Browns currently hold the sixth pick. Will they go with a defensive back? Could they turn to a pass rusher? Would they possible fortify the offensive line? Could they shock everyone and take an additional offensive weapon? Or maybe, just maybe, would they trade the pick to a team that wants to move up and snag one of those top offensive tackles?
From now until Thursday’s first round, a different member of the WFNY staff will take their look at one player in particular and tell you why the Browns, should they choose to, would go in this direction.
Name: Dion Jordan
Position: Linebacker
School: Oregon
Height: 6-6
Weight: 248 lbs.
40-yard dash: 4.60 seconds
Whom he would replace:
Jabaal Sheard?
Why he makes the most sense for the Browns:
As the team appears poised to roll the dice on a second-year rookie quarterback and an up-and-coming complement of weapons, the best offense might be a really good defense. As the Browns picked up Paul Kruger and Desmond Bryant in free agency, Joe Banner continually indicates that there’s no way to oversell getting pressure on opposing quarterbacks. Dion Jordan would potentially give the Browns someone to pair with Paul Kruger to really put the dogs on the QB on passing downs all season long.
What the experts say about him:
“The Browns had one of the worst pass rushes in the league last year, even with Jabaal Sheard around. Jordan is a long, explosive pass-rusher with freakish athleticism and an ability to work in space. This is a guy you want to unleash in a 3-4.” — Mel Kiper Jr
“Jordan is an underrated talent with the length and athleticism to develop into an impact starter in NFL, and he’s shown the versatility to play multiple roles along the front seven.” — Todd McShay
“Draft expert Mike Mayock likens him to San Francisco dynamo Aldon Smith. Others have compared him to players like Chandler Jones or Mathias Kiwanuka. His former defensive coordinator says he reminds him of Elvis Dumervil, maybe Mario Williams.” — Sports Illustrated
Chances the Browns will take Dion Jordan:
I think the chances that the Browns take Dion Jordan are about as good as any other player who appears to be in the top ten of the NFL draft. I truly believe that it isn’t just lip service by Browns execs when they talk about the pass rush. Their moves in free agency lend credence to it, and their other talk about taking care of the lines makes all kinds of sense. A pass rush can hide flaws in the secondary. The secondary is unlikely to do the reverse. Of course the Browns will look to build a balanced defense, but it all starts at the line. Dion Jordan projects to be a pretty good prospect to bolster that line.
9 Comments
Physical freak I’d love either Jordan or Milliner at #6!
CB seems to translate better than OLB this high in the 1st round…see Courtney Brown/Kam Wimbley. I keep hearing ‘physical specimen’….well they all are. This fascination with Jordan/Ansah this high in the first round is a real reach in my opinion. Go with Milliner if he’s there, if not move down and grab a TE, OG, or CB in mid-round.
for me, he’s in the group of pass-rushers that I have a hard time separating:
Jordan, Ansah, Mingo, J.Jones
D.Moore – dropped due to measurables, though I think he’ll be a good player in a couple years (needs to add bulk).
B.Werner – never liked him as a prospect. Not really even for the 4-3.
Each have strengths and flaws. Jordan seems like the highest rated by consensus, but I doubt all of those guys are available at #6. So, we’ll see what happens.
Forget the whole OLB label I’m guessing Jordan would be used just like the 49ers use Aldon Smith and that is almost purely as an edge pass rusher. Only on the rare occasion does Smith ever drop off to remotely look like an OLB. He’s in effect what a true DE would be in a 4-3.
I think Jordan will separate plenty from those guys once in the NFL. For me if he or Milliner is somehow there at #6 either is my guy. Anyone/everyone else I trade down and try to get more draft picks or picks and perhaps a player.
I never liked the choices of Brown or Wimbley but especially Brown. He was one of many overhyped, overrated Penn State players. I liked his teammate LaVar Arrington more at the time.
maybe. but, a guy like Mingo might be able to rush the passer AND play the run. so, he could end up being more valuable. so many factors and the guys are all so close that my head spins when trying to separate them.
We do all realize how this will ultimately work, right? We pick 6th, so anyone we covet will be gone in the top five. It’s draft day tradition!
100% agree. Take 1. Jordan or 2. Milliner.. Or trade down. No other options I see.