Instant Takeaways from Packers Selection of IDL Jonathan Ford
By Paul Bretl
The Green Bay Packers have four seventh-round picks and select Miami interior defensive lineman Jonathan Ford at pick 234 overall.
Instant takeaways from the Green Bay Packers selection of interior defensive lineman Jonathan Ford
– Even with the addition of Devonte Wyatt, the Green Bay Packers still needed to add to their interior defensive line unit as they still had just six players on the depth chart.
– Ford measures in at 6’5″ – 333 pounds and posted a RAS of 3.53. He ran a 5.49-second 40-yard dash and didn’t perform very well in the shuttle or the broad jump.
– Ford spent five years at Miami but was on the field for 1,262 snaps. He struggled to produce as a pass-rusher with only 26 career pressures and four sacks; however, he was more effective against the run.
– At this size, Ford is someone who lines up in the A or B-gaps — he has over 1,000 career snaps lined up in the B-gap — to take up space and occupy double-teams.
– Oftentimes in the seventh round is where you find special teams standouts, and although Ford does not have a ton of experience in that regard, perhaps he could provide the Green Bay Packers with a boost in that phase of the game.
– Ford was a very reliable tackler at Miami, posting a tackle grade of 78.9, according to PFF ($$), during his final season, and over his last two years, he missed just one tackle on 31 attempts.
– With a defensive front rotation made up of Kenny Clark, Dean Lowry, TJ Slaton, Devonte Wyatt, and Jarran Reed, it is very unlikely that Ford makes the 53-man roster. But that, of course, isn’t uncommon for seventh-round picks. His Year 1 ceiling is likely as a practice squad player where he can continue to develop.
– Now, for more on Ford’s game, here is what Lance Zierlein of NFL.com had to say:
"“Nose tackle with broad frame and intriguing snap quickness, but an alarming lack of impact on the game relative to his traits. Ford gets into the neutral zone with good knock-back power, but he’s more likely to generate penetration than to actually make a play. He hasn’t shown that he can read and react at the point of attack, but could get an opportunity to prove himself in a camp. He flashed rush disruption in 2019 and might be better off playing at a lighter weight to give himself the best chance to succeed in that area.”"