Kansas City Chiefs: Will Dee Ford be healthy for 2018
Kansas City Chiefs outside linebacker Dee Ford is expected to be ready for training camp July 26. Will he be the pass rusher the Chiefs defense needs?
During the Kansas City Chiefs OTAs and mandatory minicamp, outside linebacker Dee Ford has yet to practice a full day with his teammates. Ford dealt with a back injury that limited him last season just three weeks into the season. He tried to come back in Week 6 but was unable to generate consistent playing time and would eventually miss the entire second half of the season.
Kansas City waited until early December to place Ford on Injured Reserve in hopes that he would make a return in time for the later portion of the season when they would need him most. Missing most of the 2017 season, outside linebacker Justin Houston was forced to try and win without anyone on the other side capable of generating a pass rush.
At the end of mandatory minicamp, as Chiefs personnel headed out for their vacations before training camp, head coach Andy Reid answered questions from the media. Talking about what he saw from his players in camp and even some questions on Dee Ford. Reid stated that even though Ford has yet to get a full practice in with his teammates, he expects him to be ready to go at training camp.
"Dee Ford should be ready for camp. Again, making progress. He’s worked his tail off. He was able to do a little bit of individual stuff."
Considering that Ford was unable to get a full practice in with the defense without pads on makes it a bit questionable that he would be ready for contact come training camp. Kansas City has spent two second-round picks over the last two drafts to bring in some bigger pass rushers that could see some significant playing time this season as well.
General manager Brett Veach drafted Breeland Speaks with the Chiefs 2018 second-round pick. Veach commented that he expects Speaks to contribute right away and become a three-down player for the defense. He mentioned that Speaks might move inside on third downs and obvious passing downs as well.
Tanoh Kpassagnon, the Chiefs 2017 second-round pick by former general manager John Dorsey, is another player that will be fighting for time in the rotation. Kpassagnon showed some development last season that could increase even more come regular season. Reid complimented the young linebacker on his work in OTAs and minicamp.
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Both Speaks and Kpassagnon are raw talents that still need some development. They both show some promise against the running game which could land them time on early downs even if Ford is healthy and ready to go Week 1. It could find Ford coming in for obvious passing downs instead of being a three-down player like he has been in the past.
Regardless of who plays opposite of Justin Houston on the edge, the Chiefs need someone to step up and generate pressure. Even the best in the league have a hard time getting to the quarterback when they have no help from the other side. Everyone points out Justin Houston’s sacks from last season, but the Denver Broncos edge rusher Von Miller struggled without assistance as well last season.
If Kansas City wants to see Houston get after the quarterback instead of dropping into coverage a quarter of the passing downs in 2018, they need to find someone to put on the opposite side. If Ford can come back, it’s still questionable whether he can stay healthy for the entire season. Back injuries are no joke as we have seen around the league.
As the Chiefs were forced to use Ford’s fifth-year option, he will be playing for a new contract in 2018. We all know that can improve a players drive and can only hope that Ford gets back to at least his 2016 production this season. He has yet to be consistent, even in 2016, but putting up ten sacks would be the right direction to earning a contract with Kansas City or somewhere else.
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Limiting Ford to third downs or obvious passing downs would help him and the team in 2018. Ford has been unable to set the edge or be anything but a liability in the running game. Allowing him to stick to pass rushing would be beneficial for the defense while giving the young, bigger players a chance to prove themselves.