Eagles had deal for Dion Jordan before his suspension

The Eagles had a proposed trade that would have sent a conditional late round draft pick to the Dolphins for edge rusher Dion Jordan, NFL sources said.

ESPN's Adam Schefter first reported that the two teams were nearing a deal before Jordan was suspended for all of the 2015 season for violating the league's substance abuse policy.

Eagles guard Evan Mathis was also mentioned in trade talks. He has been on the market the last two offseasons. Mathis hasn't attended voluntary team workouts the last two weeks. There is increasing speculation around the league that he may be released after the draft if the Eagles can't find a trade partner.

Jordan, a product of Oregon, had previously been suspended for the first four games of the 2014 season after he tested positive for performance enhancing drugs. He again violated the drug policy when tested in September and had two more games added to his suspension.

The 25-year-old was selected third overall in the 2013 draft, a pick before the Eagles took tackle Lane Johnson. Some teams had given Jordan a lower grade or taken him off their entire board because of character concerns, but Eagles coach Chip Kelly said that the Eagles would have considered Jordan had he dropped a spot.

"Trust me, the guy that went No. 3 we were considering very heavily," Kelly said then, "but didn't get the chance to pull the trigger on that one."

Kelly apparently still coveted his former Ducks player, although Jordan's stock has dropped considerably. Jordan has just three sacks in 26 NFL games and three suspensions.

The near-trade also calls into question Kelly's stance on character except when it relates to players he knows personally.

The Eagles are light at outside linebacker as the draft nears. Connor Barwin and Brandon Graham will start, but Marcus Smith -- the Eagles' top pick in 2014 -- hardly played his rookie season and needs to show improvement to be a contributor this year.