Kansas City Chiefs: Will 2016 Be Dee Ford’s Breakout Year?
By Ryan Disdier
After a relatively quiet first two years with the Kansas City Chiefs, can pass-rusher Dee Ford enjoy a breakout year in 2016?
When the Kansas City Chiefs selected Dee Ford in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft, few expected the rookie to be a big contributor in his first year. It’s strange to say that about a first-round pick, but Ford was joining an already stacked outside linebacker unit.
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Ford played behind Tamba Hali and Justin Houston in his first year, starting in zero games, while recording 1.5 sack.
The former Auburn standout saw his workload increase in his second year, as he started five of the 14 games he appeared in. He also finished 2015 with four sacks.
Still, Ford has yet to take the next step and validate his first-round status. 2016 will be a golden opportunity for Ford to grab the proverbial brass ring, and it may be his best chance to establish himself.
Justin Houston, one of the NFL’s most dangerous pass-rushers, injured his ACL last year, and his entire 2016 season is in jeopardy. According to ESPN’s Adam Teicher, the best-case scenario sees Houston returning after training camp, while the worst-case scenario is Houston missing the entirety of the 2016 season.
Because of Houston’s injury, Ford is going to get a shot to contribute as a starter.
Hali, a veteran entering his 11th NFL season, spoke about Ford to Terez Paylor of the Kansas City Star after re-signing with the Chiefs in early March.
“I thought his play improved throughout the year,” Hunt said. “I think our coaching staff and his teammates have a lot of confidence in him, and I know he’ll seize the opportunity if he’s given it.”
Well, now Ford has the opportunity, and he needs to capitalize on it. He certainly has the physical traits to do so.
As a pass-rusher, Ford has a great motor, as well as ideal acceleration. He uses his speed, quickness and burst to get around tackles. However, sometimes his speed and momentum is used against him, as he can get sucked up field. He certainly has raw ability that helps him rush the quarterback, but as it stands right now, he’s lacking a go-to pass-rush move.
In the run game, Ford is sturdy. He does a very good job withstanding blocks and setting the edge. He’s also fairly good at locating the ball-carrier and helping on tackles.
In coverage, Ford is actually pretty good, albeit not tremendous. He’s rarely a liability in coverage, though, which helps make the defense more versatile. He does get beat when dealing with more athletic tight ends, but for the most part he’s solid.
It seems like he can be relentless, but only when he thinks he has a shot at making a play. Other times, it appears that he takes plays off.
The best film on Ford’s 2015 is from Kansas City’s week 14 battles against the San Diego Chargers. Ford was an absolute beast that game, recording three sacks.
He wasn’t just getting sacks, though, as Ford was virtually everywhere that game. He was good in coverage, and he displayed his at-times lethal first step. The game film from that game is the best-case scenario for Ford. But it’s definitely worth noting that his ceiling, judging from that game, is very high.
Ford’s consistency is the biggest thing that’s preventing him from taking the next step. Like I already said, Ford’s first step can be absolutely deadly at times, as it seems like knows the snap count. However, at other instances, Ford is painfully slow reacting to the snap. There’s seldom and in-between.
Effort and consistency coincide with one another. If Ford displays better effort, he’ll be able to become a legitimate starter in the NFL.
But so far, his career has been marred with embarrassing moments, which spawn from a lack of effort. It’s never a good thing when a player’s most famous moment as a pro is caused by running away from a ball-carrier.
There are no excuses for Ford in 2016. He has the physical ability, the on-field mentorship of Hali and Derrick Johnson, as well as the benefit of playing on a top-flight defense. Ford will likely never get the opportunity he has this year again in his career, and he needs to make the most of it.
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If Ford can simply be more consistent and display better effort, he’ll experience a transcendent, breakout year, while providing the Chiefs with another formidable pass-rusher.
If Ford can’t improve, however, he’ll likely entrench himself for the long-haul as a situational pass-rusher, incapable of taking the next step.