Jaylan Ford
Position: LB – Projected: 5th Round
History & Measurables
Born: Nov. 28th, 2001 – Frisco, TX
High School: Lone Star
College: Texas Longhorns
Height: 6’3″ Weight: 242 lbs
Traits & Characteristics
The Good
- Size
- Strength
- Patience for hole development
- Block shedding
- Pass rush
The Bad
- Coverage ability
- Speed
- ‘Blind’ tackles
- Awareness
- Pursuit and tackle angles
Advanced Analytics Notes – 2023
Run Defense Stats: Min 100 Snaps
- Run Defense Grade: 80.2 (32nd among linebackers)
- Run Stops: 32 (T-46th among linebackers)
Pass Rush Stats: Min 40 Snaps
- PFF Pass Rush Grade: 62.8 (T-360th among linebackers)
- Pash Rush Win Rate: 12.2% (T-213rd among linebackers)
- QB Hits: 6 (T-18th among linebackers)
- Sacks: 2 (T-134th among linebackers)
- Hurries: 14 (T-32th among linebackers)
Coverage Stats: Min 100 Snaps
- Coverage Grade: 50.0 (T-355th among linebackers)
- Pass Breakups: 1 (T-105th among linebackers)
- Passer Rating Allowed: 97.2 (191st among linebackers)
- Interceptions: 2 (T-9th among linebackers)
- Times Targeted: 45 (14th among linebackers)
Film Notes and Highlights
Jaylan Ford is a linebacker who has good size and strength. He showed growth from 2022 to 2023 at recognizing plays and showing patience waiting for holes to develop in the run game. His biggest hurdle is his ability to stay square as a tackler. Far too often it seems he goes ‘blind’ before making a tackle, causing whiffs and misses. He needs to be more eager to take contact in the hole. He will also have bad pursuit angles and inconsistent pad level, but doesn’t have the speed to make up for poor pursuit angles.
In the passing game, Ford is actually a good pass rusher – and could be a pass blitzing Will linebacker at the next level. However, he is not a player you want in coverage. He is often covering grass in zone, instead of blocking passing windows. In man coverage, he likes to be aggressive and chip at the LOS, but does not have the speed to recover afterwards. I believe Jaylan Ford is a mid Day 3 prospect in the 2024 NFL draft. – Thomas Christopher
(Games Watched: vs TCU 2022, vs Alabama 2023, vs Wyoming 2023, vs Oklahoma 2023, vs Houston 2023)
Player Comparison
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Sheldon Hand
Sheldon Hand is an elementary school teacher. He started writing in 2019, and started working with The League Winners in 2021. He has been playing fantasy football for fifteen years, got into dynasty seven years ago and have become a bit obsessed.