Eagles Notes: Eagles' Chip Kelly lauds Dion Jordan at combine

INDIANAPOLIS - If there were any doubts that Oregon pass rusher Dion Jordan is worthy of an early selection, they likely quieted after Jordan ran the 40-yard dash in 4.6 seconds and had a broad jump of 122 inches Monday at the NFL scouting combine.

Jordan, who is 6-foot-6 and 248 pounds, projects as an outside linebacker in a 3-4 system or a defensive end in the 4-3. He is expected to be under heavy consideration when the Eagles select at No. 4 in April's draft. Jordan played for Eagles coach Chip Kelly at Oregon.

"Dion's just a special guy in my heart," Kelly said last week. "I had an opportunity to be with him for five years. He came into Oregon as a receiver, moved to tight end, we switched him over to defense the beginning of his sophomore year. He just had a huge impact, not only on the field but off the field."

Jordan will undergo shoulder surgery, but the injury is not considered especially serious and NFL draft analyst Mike Mayock does not believe it will affect Jordan's stock. Mayock said Jordan has the chance to be an all-pro, comparing him with San Francisco 49ers pass rusher Aldon Smith. Mayock added, however, that Jordan needs to add 20 pounds.

The injury has affected Jordan's weight lifting, but he does not expect adding weight to be an issue. "I have the frame to add as much as possible," Jordan said. "I'm going to get stronger and continue to get healthy."

The combine ends Tuesday when defensive backs work out. One of the notable trends is the speed in this year's draft. Five wide receivers finished below 4.4 seconds in the 40, and two running backs hit that mark.

There were five sub-4.4 finishers from those positions in the last two seasons, three in 2010, and four in 2009. Texas wide receiver Marquise Goodwin's 4.27-second 40 was the fastest since Tennessee Titans running back Chris Johnson finished in 4.24 seconds in 2008.

Goodwin is a track star who competed in the Olympics. He wants to prove that he has more than speed after a modest football career in college.

"I have proved I have more than linear speed," Goodwin said.

"Track [athletes] really are known to not be able to catch. I have good hands. I run routes. I get out of my breaks. I can run other routes than just running a nine. I'm tough. I have taken on hits. I have blocked."

New York Giants coach Tom Coughlin and Dallas Cowboys coach Jason Garrett were effusive in praising former Eagles coach Andy Reid, although they also lent credibility to Kelly in their descriptions of the new Eagles coach. "He's just a darn good football coach, and he's bringing that style of football to the NFL," Garrett said.