My new favorite prospect - Dion Jordan, Oregon

I have been watching prospects lately, particularly pass rushers, safeties and WRs because I think those are our biggest areas of need. This morning I watched 5 games and a highlight reel on Dion Jordan. It's the first time I had watched Oregon film with an exclusive focus on him, and I am 100% sold. I have recently watched guys like Jarvis Jones, Damontre Moore and Bjoren Werner. All of them are good, and all of them are projected to go a lot higher than #17. Jordan on the other hand is projected in the 10-20 range in many mocks, so at this time it seems like there is a reasonable chance of him being there at #17. Based on his thin physique, I was prepared to see a guy that is not pro ready and would need a year or 2 in the weight room to be a top flight starter. If you look at him as a 4-3 DE, I think that might be the case. However, as a 3-4 OLB prospect Jordan looks ready to start from Day 1. He is very good at using his hands and leverage to shed blockers in the run game. He understands and maintains contain responsibilities, but also quickly identifies when it's safe to leave contain and follow the flow of the play - which he does really, really well. He already covers as well as I have seen any current NFL 3-4 OLB cover, and was sometimes matched up (successfully) on slot receivers, TEs and backs in Oregon's scheme. He is a dynamic edge pass rusher, although he will need to work on inside rush moves and on not being pushed wide as often as he is by better tackles. Those are both areas that Keith Butler could help him correct quickly because the physical tools are there, and in a year or two he could be a better pass rusher than the other guys I've listed. He already looks to be ahead of them as a well rounded OLB, and he shows effort on every play.

Take a look at the video available on him (there are a bunch of full games on youtube) and let me know what you think. One thing that you will see from him that you don't always see from the other R1 pass rusher prospects is that he very quickly gets downfield, or across the field, to help his teammates. Sometimes he will rush the passer and still get downfield to help corral the receiver.

Based on talent and our need, he is now #1 on my list of prospects that can reasonably fall to us, and may end up in my top 5 overall by draft day. My current realistic top 3 are: 1) Jordan, 2) Vaccaro, 3) Keenan Allen

 

Jones is probably falling because of his spinal stenosis. If both he and Jordan are there, I would be giddy if we took either one.

 

Why? If Ansah becomes what I think he can, "Ziggy" Hood will need a new nickname..