Kansas City Chiefs: Regrading Each Pick Of The 2014 NFL Draft
By Brett Gering
Round 1, Pick No. 23: Dee Ford, DE/OLB, Auburn
Obviously, Dee Ford didn’t see the field much, but that has less to do with his ability and more to do with Tamba Hali’s. Though his stats probably didn’t justify it this year, remember that No. 91 is a perennial Pro Bowl selection; it’s not like Ford’s sitting behind Andy Studebaker.
I can’t peer into a crystal ball and tell you when Hali is leaving town (or retiring), but I can tell you that when he does, Ford will become a fan favorite—and quickly.
He’s still acclimating to the position and needs to brush up on his run defense—just as mentor did when first entering the league—but there’s a reason why his first step keeps drawing comparisons to the most beloved linebacker in Chiefs history, Derrick Thomas.
#chiefs OLB Tamba Hali says rookie Dee Ford has a first step that reminds him of the video he has watched on the late Derrick Thomas
— Alex Marvez (@alexmarvez) August 14, 2014
B-. <p>Ford’s shoddy run defense still needs a few coats of polish, but when given the opportunity, he shined as an edge-rusher. On average, the first-rounder pressured quarterbacks once every 10.1 pass-rushing snaps, whereas Hali did so once every 10.9.</p> <p>Ford’s workload will see a significant increase next year, regardless of who comprises Kansas City’s linebacking corps. But more importantly, if Dorsey finds himself in a financial bind, No. 55’s selection makes the idea of parting ways Hali that much easier to swallow. </p>. Dee Ford. Kansas City Chiefs. OVERALL GRADE
Statistics provided by Pro Football Focus (subscription required).
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