The Dallas Cowboys will have an opportunity to improve on what is already an impressive roster during the 2017 NFL Draft. While their quality 13-win season places them towards the end of the draft order, the depth which is present at their positions of need is encouraging.
The Cowboys offense was outright dominant at times in 2016, but with an aging Dez Bryant and potentially departing Terrance Williams, Dallas should be in the market for a wide receiver during this year’s NFL Draft.
During my draft work over at Slant Sports, I came across a player which would be perfect for the Cowboys explosive, yet diabolical offense. A player who possesses a deep threat, while also having the ability to create yards after the catch and make defenders miss in the open field. In simplest terms, a complete receiver.
That player is former Virginia Tech wide receiver Isaiah Ford.
The 2017 NFL Draft is pretty deep at the receiver position, with sure-fire first-rounders like Corey Davis and Mike Williams leading the way. But with all the hype which surrounds the top two or three wide-outs in this class, some of the other players are getting lost in the shuffle.
Isaiah Ford is going to be a riser on draft boards as more and more people pay attention to what he can bring to the table.
As a pure route runner, Ford is very impressive. While he is my fourth highest-graded wide receiver so far, I would argue he is a better route runner, and better at gaining separation than Clemson’s Mike Williams.
The most productive receiver in Virginia Tech history, Ford finished the 2016 season with 75 catches for 1,164 yards and 10 touchdowns. Standing at 6’2″ 190 pounds, Ford possesses the prototypical size which the Cowboys look for when drafting a wide-out.
Ford’s route running and footwork are top-tier, but without good hands and the awareness to locate the ball they would be all-for-naught. Ford is able to high point the ball so well, something that any big-time receiver needs to do in the NFL.
Isaiah Ford checks all the boxes you want when drafting a wide receiver. He’s got good height, has solid hands, is a fluid route runner, and can high point the football in traffic with ease. Ford has the body control you look for in a receiver as well, with the ability to toe-tap in-bounds even with defenders breathing down his neck.
I would absolutely love to see Ford in Dallas next season, however, his availability will be an issue on draft day.
Once thought of as a mid-late Day Two prospect, Ford has risen on draft boards to a position where he should be taken early on in the second round. This would mean in order to snag him, the Cowboys would have to spend their first-round pick on him.
While I do like the player a lot and believe some team could take him in round one, that team shouldn’t be the Cowboys. They have too many other needs on the defensive side of the ball that are much direr than wide receiver two.
If by some miracle Ford is sitting there in round two, he is a player I would be happy for the Cowboys to draft.
Kelvin, I agree. If Ford, is there for the Cowboys in the second round, he would be the perfect complement to Dez. This duo, would be explosive than Pearson-Hill, and Irvin-Harper. It wold be great if Rico would give Isaiah # 80, for another #.
I’m with you! Would love to see Ford and Dez line up across from each other. Thanks for reading.