Looking Back on the Eagles 2014 Draft Rumors

Sep 22, 2013; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins defensive end Dion Jordan (95) reacts after defeating the Atlanta Falcons at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

From Pond to Nest?

The first significant rumor that involved the Eagles and the NFL Draft was that Philadelphia (and former Oregon) head coach Chip Kelly was looking to reunite with his former collegiate defensive standout, pass rusher Dion Jordan. The Dolphins traded their 2013 first and second round picks to move up to third overall and nab Jordan the pick before Philadelphia could last year.

Bob Grotz, reporter for the Delaware-County Times, broke the news that the Eagles offered their 2014 second round pick and Brandon Graham (who is also being played out of position in the Eagles’ 3-4 defense) earlier this offseason for Jordan.

The initial offer was cast aside due to the Dolphins feeling as though their end of the deal wasn’t enticing enough for a player they’ll hurt more financially by moving ($5M to keep Jordan, $10M in dead money to move him) and their perspective is certainly valid.

One thing that I’ve seen from Chip Kelly as the head coach of the Eagles is that he doesn’t give up. Whether it’s bouncing back from an embarrassing 48-30 loss to the Minnesota Vikings (it felt worse than the score indicated) with a 54-11 upheaval of the Chicago Bears, or putting second-year quarterback Nick Foles in a position to succeed like no other QB in NFL history had done before after Michael Vick went out with a surprising-to-nobody injury, he’s proven as much.

If Kelly wants to trade for Dion Jordan as badly as the tea leaves have made it seem, he’ll find a way. It’s not known for sure if the Dolphins are still open to talking, but if it’s truly still on the table the likely outcome would be that we’ll know by the 54th overall selection on Friday night.