Seattle Seahawks: DT Poona Ford
Ford first caught my attention when he was named the Big 12 Defensive Lineman of the Year, and the Texas alum was somehow not invited to the 2018 scouting combine despite outstanding performances at both the East-West Shrine Game and the Senior Bowl. Ford looked especially snappy in Mobile, but the disrespect continued through the 2018 draft when Ford was not selected. No matter, though — he wound up in the perfect place for his skill set along Seattle’s offensive line. Switching primarily between one-tech nose tackle and three-tech defensive tackle looks, Ford recorded half a sack, 10 total pressures, and 28 stops in his second NFL season, turning himself into a primary cog in a defensive line that will be tasked with stopping a Packers rushing attack that ranked fourth in the league in Football Outsiders’ opponent-adjusted efficiency metrics.
Ford can rumble on the inside and bull through blockers, but movement skills make him exceptional in his specific roles. There are few better examples than that one half-sack, which came against the 49ers in Week 10. Here, Ford (No. 97) and tackle Jarran Reed (No. 91) run an inside game in which Reed pursues Jimmy Garoppolo through the pocket, and Ford nimbly moves with Garoppolo to author the takedown with Reid as his aide.
Green Bay running backs Aaron Jones and Jamaal Williams should keep their eyes out for Ford in unsuspected places; he’s been surprising people for years.
Previous Seahawks secret superstar: Safety Quandre Diggs
Danielle Hunter | Dee Ford | Harold Landry III | Matthew Judon |
Duke Johnson, Jr. | Charvarius Ward | Poona Ford | Kenny Clark