2017 NFL Draft Profile: Wide Receiver Greg Ward Jr.

In this 2017 NFL Draft profile, get the strengths, weaknesses, and a draft day prediction for wide receiver Greg Ward Jr. out of Houston.

Greg Ward, Jr. is an intriguing prospect in the 2017 NFL Draft because he’s yet another quarterback-turned-receiver project in the NFL.

Ward is very athletic and has the ability to move to this position, and he can be utilized as a running back if necessary in certain situations. He clearly will be drafted to play the slot, because of his size.

It is very rare to have the success of Julian Edelman, but he can be a quality receiver due to his speed and quickness.  He can also be an emergency quarterback. Let’s take a look at his strengths and weaknesses.

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STRENGTHS

Ward has played exclusively quarterback in the last two seasons with the Cougars, and that gives him the experience of reading defenses and understanding coverages, especially pre-snap.  That will give him an edge.

As a dual-threat quarterback, he showed speed and elusiveness.  Those are two key attributes for a slot receiver.  His speed and elusiveness will help with yards after the catch, and that gives him some value.

He also has some punt returning experience at Houston.  That will also add some value.

WEAKNESSES

One of his strengths is also a weakness.  He hasn’t played receiver in two years, and he lacks the reps that other players do.

Even though playing quarterback gives you some knowledge, he will have to relearn a position he hasn’t played in a while.  That means Ward Jr. will take some time to be a good NFL receiver, just not as long as some of the previous quarterbacks-turned-receiver.

He will have to add some strength without sacrificing speed and elusiveness.  Ward will need to be able to take some punishment over the middle.

VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS

DRAFT DAY PREDICTION

Some teams near the bottom of the draft might be willing to take him late on Day 3.  With that said, he will likely be a free agent signing after the draft and have to fight through camp to make the roster.