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Miami Dolphins Players to Watch: Isaiah Ford, WR

By Mark Morales-Smith

Sep 3, 2016; Blacksburg, VA, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies wide receiver Isaiah Ford (1) and Virginia Tech Hokies wide receiver Cam Phillips (5) reacts before the game against the Liberty Flames at Lane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 3, 2016; Blacksburg, VA, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies wide receiver Isaiah Ford (1) and Virginia Tech Hokies wide receiver Cam Phillips (5) reacts before the game against the Liberty Flames at Lane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Miami Dolphins are loaded at wide receiver, yet rookie Isaiah Ford could be a dark horse candidate to become an impact player.

The Miami Dolphins are set with their top three wide receivers. Kenny Stills and DeVante Parker will man the outside with their stud Jarvis Landry manning the slot. Even behind them, you have second-year players Leonte Carroo and Rashawn Scott. Both of those young athletes are oozing with potential. There may be one more name you can add to that list now.

Related Story: Miami Dolphins Camp Battles: Wide receivers

Seventh-round pick Isaiah Ford out of Virginia Tech made a noticeable impression at OTAs and could be a potential impact player in the Dolphins’ future. Barring injury he will likely be buried this year, but this is a name you may want to remember. We already projected he’d make the 53-man roster back in May, and a recent report from Al Diaz of the Miami Herald only strengthened that belief.

According to this report, Ford has been getting tips and advice from none other than future Hall of Famer Steve Smith Sr. It also states that he “came on strong” late in OTAs and showed of some impressive abilities.

The rookie also says his early struggles in OTAs were because he “started to press and stress out” trying to impress. Ford continued saying he had conversations with his college coaches and “started relaxing.” Hopefully he will take this momentum into training camp.

Ford posted some strong numbers while at Virginia Tech. Over the past two seasons, he amassed 154 reception for 2,258 yards and 18 touchdowns in 26 games. He’s an explosive athlete with generally clean bill of health. He was projected as a fourth-round pick by many, and may turn out to be an absolute steal.

The knock on him is that he’s too thin and opposing defensive backs will get physical with him at the line despite his explosive first step and will overpower him when fighting for the ball. This seems like a fixable issue if he works hard with his professional trainers and takes his job as seriously as he should.

Ford also lacks straight-line speed demonstrated by his mediocre 4.61-second 40-yard dash. However, on film he tends to mask that with incredible route running, quickness and an ability to go up and get the ball.

Next: NFL 2017: Top 10 non-QB MVP candidates

All we’ve had so far this summer is OTAs and Ford is already a player to watch. Time will tell if this is a sign of things to come in his potentially bright future.

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