NEW YORK -- The Miami Dolphins' big offseason continues.
The Dolphins traded up all the way to the No. 3 overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft to select Oregon defensive end/linebacker Dion Jordan on Thursday night. The Oakland Raiders, who previously held the No. 3 pick, received the Dolphins' No. 12 overall pick and the No. 42 overall pick in the swap.
It's a stunning move. There were rumors throughout the pre-draft process that the Dolphins might be looking to move up in the draft, but the assumption was that the Dolphins were looking to move up for an offensive tackle. Instead, they found a bookend pass rusher to pair with Cameron Wake. Jordan is the ultimate new-school defender. He can play in space, he can rush the passer and he's versatile enough to move all over the defensive formation.
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The Dolphins still have another second-round pick -- No. 54 -- that they conceivably might use to acquire offensive tackle Branden Albert from the Kansas City Chiefs. Trade talks for Albert will resume Friday morning. The Chiefs reportedly wanted the No. 42 pick in the trade, but that's clearly out the window.
Dolphins general manager Jeff Ireland went into the offseason knowing he was in a "do-or-die" contract year. He's responded by spending huge amounts of money in free agency on players such as Mike Wallace, Brent Grimes, Philip Wheeler and Dannell Ellerbe. Now, Ireland used his surplus of picks to grab his favorite defensive player in the draft.
Jordan adds to an impressive defensive front seven and only will add to the excitement building in Miami this offseason. The bar is raised. After such a noisy offseason, this is a team that will be expected to contend.
Follow Gregg Rosenthal on Twitter @greggrosenthal.
