Round 7 - Pick #234, Jonathan Ford, DT, Miami

[JKB]

I see a pure nose tackle. Trying to take up 2 blockers to free up the athletes to do their thing! A first down and short yardage type. Gotta have one on every team.

And Lancaster wasn’t it. I used to bitch every time we wasted Clark in that type position.

[Pckfn23]

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Rating: 58.71 (Roster depth)

Strengths:

Experienced defensive lineman. Times up snap to ensure quality get-off. Good strength to knock opposing blockers back.

Weaknesses:

Best production came in 2019 when he was lighter. Hasn't generated much pressure the past few seasons.

Accolades:

Three-year starter
2019: Career-high three sacks and 3.5 TFL

Ford grew up in Fort Lauderdale and signed with Miami as a three-star recruit in the 2017 class. He played in seven games as a reserve as a true freshman and earned more playing time in 2018, recording eight tackles, two for loss, in 10 games. Ford started all 13 games in 2019 with 18 stops, 3.5 for loss with three sacks, and a forced fumble. He started eight of 10 games played in both 2020 (19 tackles, 1.5 for loss) and 2021 (14 tackles) for the Hurricanes. -- by Chad Reuter


Analysis
By Lance Zierlein
NFL Analyst
Draft Projection
Priority free agent
Overview
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.
Strengths
Three-year starter.
Wide, thick-boned frame.
Times up snap and comes out quickly.
Knock-back power to move line of scrimmage.
Penetrates into the backfield once he hits an edge.
Foot fakes set up opposite gap attack.
2019 tape flashes pass-rush potential at lighter weight.
Weaknesses
Poor overall production.
Additional weight has slowed lateral quickness.
Take-on technique gets him in trouble.
Charges upfield without reading play design.
Struggles to punch, separate and shed the block.
Struggled versus Appalachian State offensive line.
Ends up on the ground too much.
Unable to generate rush pressure over the last two years.

[BF004]

Can’t see us keeping 6 DL, so not sure there will be a roster spot for him unless there is an injury, knock on wood.



Guess I wouldn’t call Jarran Reed a lock, perhaps could trade Lowry after TC for a cheap pick.

Although don’t think either of those moves make us better this year.

[YoHoChecko]

Can’t see us keeping 6 DL, so not sure there will be a roster spot for him unless there is an injury, knock on wood.

6 DL is pretty common, I thought. Last year we went with Kenny, Kingsley, Dean, Slaton, and Lancaster, but I’m relatively certain some no names like Heflin and Abdullah Anderson spent time on the active roster; or were they just PS call-ups a few times?

I do see Ford and Heflin as guys who will likely bounce between the PS and active roster depending on injuries throughout the year; whether either makes the initial 53 or not feels less significant given the expanded PS rules and availability

[NCF]

[YoHoChecko]

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AFC scout: “Inconsistent player with some bad habits. Just a vanilla player who didn’t show may traits to get excited about. Has some sloppiness and laziness. Lacks explosion and violence and finish. Handles base blocks well but is marginal to poor against doubles. Gets collapsed against side pressure. Rarely sheds and finishes a play. Not a good chase player.”