Jordan is projected to be a top-five pick.
Everything the New England Patriots have done in terms of preparing for the draft has made sense to this point.
Not anymore.
In a surprising move, the Patriots have scheduled a visit with Oregon defensive end Dion Jordan, according to the Boston Herald.
The interest is obvious. Jordan is an explosive player who may eventually emerge as the best player of this draft class. Players with that kind of pedigree tend get drafted highly, and Jordan currently projects as a top-five pick. The Patriots have the 29th selection.
If this visit is anything more than information gathering, the Pats will have to make quite a move to even get in range of Jordan.
If nothing else, this development makes things a little more interesting.
Jordan (6-foot-6, 248 pounds) recorded 12.5 sacks and 23.5 tackles for a loss during his junior and senior seasons. Pro Football Weekly describes him as such:
“A long-limbed, fluid-moving athlete with surprising play strength given his linear frame, Jordan has an intriguing skill set that could transfer well to the ROLB spot in a 3-4 front, with versatility to contribute as a DRE or SLB in a 4-3 front. Could require patience to develop but could become a difference maker in two years given his natural explosion and raw physical traits. Ascending talent.”
The Patriots also have a visit scheduled with Washington cornerback Desmond Trufant, who has been linked to the Patriots in several mock drafts.