While visions of big-named ‘weaponz’ danced in the collective heads of Pats fans everywhere, the New England Patriots made a solid acquisition before the passing of Tuesday’s traded deadline. In fact, that acquisition actually provides some immediate help at a position of need.
As Mitch McDeere (of John Grisham’s novel The Firm) once said, “It might not be sexy, but it’s got teeth.”
As first reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter, New England has acquired wide receiver Isaiah Ford from the Miami Dolphins. In return, the Patriots are reportedly sending a 2022 seventh-round draft selection to Miami for Ford’s services, per Jim McBride of the Boston Globe.
Ironically, Ford, himself, was a former seventh-round draft pick by the Dolphins in 2017. Appearing in 15 games since 2018, he caught a combined 41 passes for 428 yards. As his 2019 season progressed, Ford began to show more comfort and prowess in an offense led by former Dolphins’ offensive coordinator Chad O’Shea. Arguably, his most productive game as a pro might just have coincidentally come against the Patriots. Ford notched seven catches for 54 yards against New England last December, helping Miami upset the club 27-24. A mere eleven months later, the 24-year-old receiver will be wearing Patriot blue. It should be interesting to see whether Ford will develop a similar synergy with Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, under whom O’Shea coached while with New England from 2012 through 2018.
It is widely expected that New England will utilize the 6-foot-2, 195-pound Ford in the slot, which is where he has primarily aligned with Miami. His presence will immediately help to bolster a wide receiver depth chart that recently lost Julian Edelman to injured reserve. Ford joins Jakobi Meyers, Damiere Byrd and Gunner Olszewski on the active roster. New England also employs N’Keal Harry, who missed last week’s game in Buffalo due to a concussion, as well as Isaiah Zuber, Kristian Wilkerson and Mason Kinsey on its practice squad.
-Mike D’Abate is a Managing Editor and Columnist for Full Press Coverage. He covers the New England Patriots and provides NFL editorial content. He is also the host of the Locked On Patriots podcast. Follow him on Twitter @mdabateFPC
