Jihad Ward NFL Draft 2016: Scouting Report, Grade for Raiders Rookie

POSITIVES

A former wide receiver, Jihad Ward transitioned from a skill player to a space-eater in junior college before joining Illinois. A senior entry, Ward was among the most impressive athletes on the field for the 2016 Senior Bowl practices.

An athletic big man with the strength to step right into a 3-4 defense as a 5-technique, Ward flashes with hip quickness and hand strength. Ward’s frame is one scouts fall in love with, given his bulk and length (33 ⅞-inch arms).

Ward can play double duty on the end of the defensive line. He’s stout enough to stack up blockers in the run game but explosive enough to shoot gaps and make plays in the backfield against the run and the pass.

He’s aware and instinctive, which makes him dangerous on the fly. College offensive tackles could rarely keep pace with Ward’s first-step speed when he got loose, and even Taylor Decker struggled at times to match his power toe-to-toe.

Considered an upside prospect, Ward beat up Big Ten competition with his athleticism. If he can learn fundamentals, he could be dangerous.

NEGATIVES

Inconsistency on the field is all that keeps Ward from being a first-round prospect. When asked to anchor against a double-team or combination block on the edge, he’ll surrender his legs and be moved off his spot. Playing against NFL-caliber tackles on a regular basis, this showed up often on rushing downs. When Ward is on his game with leverage and a wide base, he’s tougher to move.

You’d like to see Ward use his length and hands better to keep blockers off his frame in the run game. He gets top-heavy and likes to lean or lay on blockers, and they’re able to control him with an inside grip. Ward has the power to disengage but doesn’t go to his rip or swim move often enough to credit it as a positive.

Ward’s game tape at Illinois is flashy but rarely dominant. A lack of fight in his game allows him to be stuffed more often than a 6’5”, 290-pound athlete should be.

COMBINE RESULTS

Height: 6'5"

Weight: 290 lbs.

40 Time: 5.00s

3-Cone: 7.38s

Short Shuttle: 4.63s

PRO COMPARISON: Cameron Heyward, Pittsburgh Steelers
FINAL GRADE: 6.50/9.00 (Round 2—Future Starter)