49ers: Breaking down newly-signed defensive end Dion Jordan

The San Francisco 49ers have reportedly signed veteran defensive end Dion Jordan.

The San Francisco 49ers have reportedly added an additional depth piece to their defensive line in former top draft pick Dion Jordan.

Jordan and fellow former top-five pick Ezekiel Ansah were brought in earlier in the week for medicals and to be tested for COVID-19. But while it seems as though the team will be passing on Ansah, the same isn’t true for Jordan.

As first reported by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the 49ers are expected to sign Jordan to what will likely be a one-year contract.

Jordan originally entered the league as the No. 3 overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft. Considered one of the best prospects in his draft class, many saw Jordan as a future All-Pro given his raw athletic traits.

However, his career tanked quicker than anyone could have expected.

Jordan played in all 16 games in his rookie season, but played sparingly failing to start a game. And it was his second NFL season when the troubles really began to pick up.

The former Oregon standout missed six games as a result of two separate suspensions in 2014 and those 10 games he played that year would be the last time he stepped foot on the gridiron for three years.

Jordan was suspended for the entire 2015 season and sat out all of 2016 as well awaiting to be reinstated. But he managed to find a second life signing with the Seattle Seahawks in 2017 where he developed into a quality role player.

Dion Jordan’s career turned around with the 49ers’ NFC West rivals, the Seahawks.

Jordan would pick up four sacks in five games promoting the team to quickly re-sign him in the offseason. However, his 2018 season was a little underwhelming as he managed only 1.5 sacks in 12 games.

The Seahawks opted not to re-sign him in the offseason and Jordan underwent a knee procedure before being suspended once again, this time for 10 games.

However, upon his return, the Oakland Raiders signed him for the final couple months of the season and while he didn’t light up the stat sheet, he served a valuable role as a rotational defensive lineman.

Jordan flashed as a pass-rusher recording two sacks in seven games while also showing off his versatility to play both on the edge and the interior.

That versatility should prove invaluable for defensive coordinator Robert Saleh who could use him in a similar fashion to how the team deploys Arik Armstead. Jordan could be an ideal fit for the 49ers’ “Wide-9” defensive front.

Ultimately, the 49ers maintained the strength of their defense in the offseason despite the loss of DeForest Buckner. And Jordan helps solidify an already-stout defensive line.