TE, Miami
Height: 6’3″
Weight: 245 lbs
Class: Junior
Jordan is an interesting tight end prospect. He was ranked as the top tight end prospect in the 2018 recruiting class and has been a starter for Miami since his freshman year. He offers excellent receiving potential, but when it comes to playing tight end, he is still some way from being the finished article.
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Strengths
Jordan is one of the best receiving tight end prospects in this year’s class. He’s produced throughout his three seasons with Miami, with 1,358 yards and 13 touchdowns. His 2020 season was easily his best and he racked up 576 yards and seven touchdowns on just 38 receptions. His 15.2 yards per reception ranked third amongst tight ends with at least 50 targets.
Jordan epitomises the shift in the skillset of modern tight ends and in many ways he looks more like a wide receiver. He is a tremendous athlete, with great speed and shiftiness in the open field. He is a complete mismatch weapon when facing linebackers, with too much speed and shiftiness for them to contain him. He’s not an elite route runner, but he showed real improvement in 2020, running a more diverse route tree for Miami.
His ability after the catch is another big strength. 62 per cent of his career yardage has come after the catch and he has the elusiveness to make defenders miss in the open field. Jordan has logged 21 forced missed tackles on his 105 career receptions. This would be an elite number for a receiver, let alone a tight end. For context, this is more than double the rate of a player like Kyle Pitts.
He has good hands too, with just eight drops on his 149 career targets. He is comfortable making adjustments outside his frame and most of his drops were generally concentration related, which is easier to fix. Teams will also love his versatility. Jordan lined up in a variety of alignments for Miami, playing inline, in the slot, out wide, and even as a H-back.
Weaknesses
Jordan brings a lot of receiver-like qualities to his game, but he lacks some of the tools you would typically expect from a tight end. His ability in contested catch situations is average, winning just 33 per cent across his career. He is also not going to offer much as a big bodied red zone weapon. He can’t compete with players like Kyle Pitts and Pat Freiermuth in terms of his catch radius and he’s not a high pointer in the end zone.
The other issue with Jordan’s game is his blocking. Whilst it is not for a lack of effort, the results are below what you’d want for a starting tight end at the next level. His work as a run blocker is hampered by poor technique and average play strength. His pass protection was inconsistent too and there were multiple reps where he would lose his man and concede pressure.
Bottom Line
Few tight ends can rival Jordan as an athlete and as a receiver. He’s excellent with the ball in his hands and has developed into a solid route runner. Right now he’s pretty much a tight end in name only though. His sub-par blocking and lack of physicality at the catch point will hold him back and need improvement if he is to have a starting role at the next level.
Big Board Rank: #116
Positional Rank: #5
