Patriots NFL Draft Prospect: DE Cameron Jordan, California

Name: DE Cameron Jordan

School: California

Size: 6'4, 287 lbs

Expected Round: 1st

40 Time: 4.74s

Career Stats: Click Here.

Player Previews: CBS; Walter Football; NFL Combine [If you would like your website included, please e-mail me!]

Strengths: Versatile and played all DL positions at California- DT, 3-4 DE, and 4-3 DE. Good knowledge of his lanes and will not over pursue if it leaves his lane vulnerable. Solid swim move to penetrate double teams. Able to bull rush guards. Aware of passing lanes and will try to get in the way to knock down the pass. Able to hold his ground against double teams. Nonstop motor and doesn't quit on plays. Able to disengage from blockers to take down the ball carrier. Able to slip through the slide blockers to get into the backfield and disrupt running plays. Will be able to generate pressure. Plays heavier than his actual weight. Extremely athletic. Strong tackler.

Weaknesses: Doesn't have great quickness around the corner, which prevents him from being a 3-4 OLB convert (some people think it's a good idea. I don't agree). Won't collapse double teams. Must add 20 pounds to be a solid 3-4 DE to push back on double teams. Lacks the pass rushing skill set to be an immediate sack monster at the next level (he'll generate pressure, but he won't finish).

Why and Why Not the Patriots after the jump, and my final verdict!

Why the Patriots?: Jordan's a player with few flaws in his game. He's not a stat cruncher, but he's phenomenal at doing his job. He is almost everything the Patriots want in a DE- he can stop the run, he can pressure the quarterback, he's aware of his lanes. The few things he needs to work on (his weight/bulk, his pass rushing technique) can be gained or taught at the next level.

Why Not the Patriots?: There's a chance that Jordan is off the board at 17 and the Patriots may not trade up to get him. There's also a chance that they like another prospect more than Jordan, or they like another DE prospect just as much and they can take them later. Jordan is a work in progress so the Patriots won't be getting a sure-fire starter at the next level.

Verdict: I like Jordan a lot. I feel like his skill set matches the Patriots and he has a chance to be a stud at the next level. He won't rack up the sacks, but I feel like his pass rushing potential is greater than all the other DEs, other than Watt. On the run defense, I like Jordan a lot more than Watt, and I feel like Jordan has more upside that Heyward. When it comes to pure athleticism and upside, I like Jordan more than Wilkerson. Jordan needs to put on weight, but that's something that can be done. I was a fan of Tyson Alualu last year and he went on to be a solid success for the Jaguars; I feel like Jordan can be even better. I like Jordan's fit with the Patriots.