The New England Patriots have been tabbed to draft Cameron Jordan (DE, California) in a handful of 2011 NFL Mock Drafts (most recently, in Mike Mayock's and Rick Gosselin's projections). And the experts must be on to something because according to ESPN's Chris Mortensen, the Pats are in talks with the Dallas Cowboys to trade-up to the No. 9 overall selection where they would take Jordan.
Jordan, 6-4 and 287 pounds, is the type of pass-rushing specialist the Pats are eyeing in the 2011 NFL Draft. There's no word on what New England would give up in return, but it's fair to assume one of their first-rounders would be sent to Dallas, if not both.
Pats Pulpit profiled Jordan earlier this month, caling him "almost everything the Patriots want in a DE":
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.
The first round of the 2011 NFL Draft starts at 8 p.m. (ET) on Thursday, April 28th and SB Nation has everything you need to prepare for it - NFL mock drafts, draft