Dolphins remain undecided on Dion Jordan's role

Two years after trading up to select him with the fourth overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft, the Miami Dolphins are still unsure of what to do with Dion Jordan.

While he's certainly a supremely talented player with the athletic ability to contribute at any number of positions across the defensive front, Miami's staff has yet to settle on a role for him in the defense going forward.

“That’s one (decision) we’re going to keep talking through," Dolphins vice president Mike Tannenbaum said at the NFL owners meetings Sunday, according to Omar Kelly of the Miami Sun Sentinel.

"Obviously he’s a great pressure player in the front seven, a great athlete. We all see the play last year where he’s running 60 yards downfield covering Calvin Johnson. There aren’t many people on the planet that can do those things. He’s a young athletic guy with great upside and we’ll see how that plays out."

Jordan's best fit is likely in a hybrid role that gets him on the field both as an early-down strong-side linebacker and as a defensive end in nickel packages, but his inability to do so to this point in his career has to be a concern for Miami. 

The 25-year-old has started just one of his 26 games through two seasons, recording three sacks and 46 total tackles.

Though his rare athletic ability should lead the Dolphins to remain somewhat patient in their approach, perhaps even scheming a new role into the defense to take advantage of his talents, Jordan needs to emerge as a consistent contributor sooner than later.

As part of a front that already features two perennial Pro Bowlers in Cameron Wake and Ndamukong Suh, steady contribution from Jordan would help give the Dolphins one of the league's most feared defenses.