Dallas Cowboys uncover possible gem in Jihad Ward
By Tim Kohut
The Dallas Cowboys may have another diamond in the rough situation after the acquisition of Oakland Raiders’ defensive tackle Jihad Ward.
Over the past several years, Will McClay and the rest of the Dallas Cowboys scouting department have done a good job in finding low-risk, high-upside castoffs late in free agency or on waivers.
They’ve been particularly adept at identifying talent on the defensive line, where they’ve gotten solid productions from some under-the-radar players like George Selvie, Jeremy Mincey and David Irving. And the Cowboys could have a similar situation on their hands in 2018.
During the draft back in April, Dallas swung a trade for Oakland Raiders’ defensive tackle Jihad Ward, a 2016 second-round pick who has mostly underperformed thus far in his short career. The 24-year old defender has posted a combined 32 tackles and a sack in two NFL seasons.
In exchange, the Cowboys gave the Raiders wide receiver/special team returner Ryan Switzer, a fourth-round selection from last year who many had high expectations for going into year two.
Fans collectively scratched their heads following the odd Draft Day swap.
However, Dallas may have just uncovered another diamond in the rough prospect in Ward, who impressed during OTA’s.
"” … I wonder if the Cowboys have found something in defensive tackle Jihad Ward,” Todd Archer wrote for ESPN.com recently. “Through the two OTAs we’ve seen, Ward has been active and moves well. Marinelli has a way of getting the most out of defensive linemen, and Ward might be the next one … “"
Following the foot injury suffered by starting defensive tackle Maliek Collins, the Ward trade has looked like excellent foresight by the Cowboys’ front office. With Tyrone Crawford slimming down for full-time duty at defensive end, one of Dallas’ defensive tackle spots appears to be Ward’s to lose.
And with Ward’s being a second-round pick just two years ago, his ceiling is certainly higher than some of the other defensive line products the Cowboys have brought in thus far.
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But if there’s one thing for certain, it’s that Dallas Cowboys longtime defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli has a knack for getting the most out of his “rushmen.” So far, Jihad Ward looks like he won’t be an exception.