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2017 NFL Scouting Combine: Whose Rising, Falling and Final Takeaways

By Eric Gamboa

Mar 2, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch speaks to the media during the 2017 combine at Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 2, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch speaks to the media during the 2017 combine at Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /

Falling: Isaiah Ford

Former Virginia Tech Hokie wide receiver Isaiah Ford had a ugly performance at combine. It was the type of performance that makes scouts go back to the film. At VT, Ford was the star WR on the Hokie offense.

He was their deep threat and their WR1. Many scouts and draft analysts liked what seemed to be excellent game speed, leaping ability, and body control. Some issues with Ford came from allowing the ball to get to his body instead of catching with his hands away from his torso.

At the combine, this was one display during the “gauntlet” drill. The gauntlet drill is designed to test a receiver’s hands by ensuring that they make catches while on the move and turning their torso from one side of the field and then back to the other side. It forces players to use their hands instead of their body to make the catch.

Ford struggled mightily with this drill. Actually, Ford struggled with pretty much all catching drills at the combine. However, his biggest sin was running a slow 40-yard dash. Per Sports on Earth, Ford was clocked in at a 4.61 40-yard dash. For a WR who made his bones a deep threat, a 4.61 40-yard dash is simply not good enough.

Must Read: Like It or Not, Kaepernick Should Come Back For One More Season.

It is certainly a disappointing outing, many expected more from Ford (including this sportswriter you can read my scouting report on Ford here). Nonetheless, Ford will certainly look to improve on this performance at VT’s pro-day and/or any team visits he is invited to attend.

Otherwise, his projected Day 2 grade will most certainly change to a Day 3 projection.

Check out more Twitter reactions on Ford’s combine performance:

https://twitter.com/ViteezyfromVA/status/838047213502795777

https://twitter.com/FLgridironpreps/status/839124195158151168