Nov 24, 2013; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins defensive end Dion Jordan (95) reacts after sacking Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) during the second quarter at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

It’s no secret the Broncos set out this offseason to upgrade the defensive side of the football, and with the 2014 NFL Draft closing in, there’s no doubt they are going to continue to do so.

One player whose name was floated around in trade rumors at the outset of the new league year is Dolphins DE/LB Dion Jordan, a 6’6″ 270 pound pass rushing prospect out of Oregon.

The Dolphins’ former regime traded up to the third overall slot in the 2013 NFL Draft to get Jordan, who has a high ceiling but needs a lot of seasoning. He had just 26 tackles and two sacks as a rookie where he struggled with inconsistency and battled through a shoulder injury entering his rookie season.

I’m going to cut to the chase. I think the Broncos should trade for Jordan this offseason.

I have no idea if the Dolphins are actually floating his name out there in a trade, and if they are what their asking price is, but I think the Broncos would be wise to seriously consider making a move to get this youngster.

Reasons

1. Jordan is Cheap

Check out Jordan’s contract. There is no cap number prior to the club option in 2017 that is at or over $4 million. Financially, the new CBA allowed teams to get their draft picks at a ridiculously cheap price. With the Broncos close up against the cap in 2014 after all their offseason moves, Jordan’s $495K base salary and $845,105 roster bonus are attractive numbers for a team that could use as many pass rushers as it can get.

2. Jordan Has Huge Potential

The Broncos won’t be sniffing the top five of the draft anytime soon (we hope) and getting a prospect the caliber of Dion Jordan is a risk John Elway should be willing to take. The Broncos won’t be foolish with their picks in this year’s draft or any future draft, but trading one away for a player like this gives you a chance to add a player who has already been in the league for a year, a former top five selection at that.

At 6’6″ 270 pounds, Jordan’s speed and quickness are up there with the likes of our own Von Miller, and with some coaching up from Broncos’ defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio, he could be a valuable weapon.

3. Injuries Happen

As the Broncos learned the hard way last year, injuries happen and you want to have a contingency plan. Shaun Phillips was a veteran addition who proved to be valuable, notching a huge sack in the AFC title game and coming away from 2013 with double digits in that category, but losing Von Miller, Derek Wolfe, and others for a significant period really brought the Broncos’ pass rush down in a big way.

4. You Can’t Have Too Many Pass Rushers

This philosophy speaks for itself. “43-8” ought to cover it.

5. Jordan Has Versatility

The Broncos currently have eight defensive linemen that I think need to be on the opening day roster, which would leave potentially one other open spot. Since Derek Wolfe and Malik Jackson are technically both capable of playing inside, I think they need more guys to play the edge. Jordan can play where Elvis Dumervil used to play, backing up DeMarcus Ware for the time being while also doing some standing up and rushing as a linebacker.

The Broncos showed last year they are willing to and even favor using multiple defensive alignments, and Jordan can play a hybrid role all over the formation.