2020 NFL Draft Profile: Hawaii WR JoJo Ward
The Warriors wide receiver is hoping he can blaze a trail into the NFL.
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There may be a change of pace coming.
Ashley Lelie, Chad Owens, Kealoha Pilares, Greg Salas. Hawaii’s run-and-shoot offense has landed a few receivers in the NFL Draft and this year may be no different with two potential selections in the mix: Cedric Byrd and JoJo Ward.
After breaking out with 51 catches and 17 yards per catch in 2018, Ward took a big step forward last fall as one of the team’s primary pass-catching options to lead the Warriors in receiving yards and touchdowns. With evident explosiveness at his disposal, will that be enough for him to hear his name called at this year’s draft?
Height – 5′ 9″
Weight – 175 pounds
Wingspan – 74″
Arm Length – 31 1/8″
Hand Size – 9″
40-Yard Dash – 4.47 seconds
Strengths
Speed, speed, speed. Ward proved that he could definitely go and get it when the occasion called for it, but he also showed that he could break away from defensive backs for a big play, as well, which explains why he led the Mountain West, and one of just 12 pass catchers in the entire FBS, with 13 catches of 30-plus yards in 2019.
Ward also possesses sound footwork and he’s able to create space for that extra yard or two or, in some instances, elude flatfooted defenders on curls and outs, which makes him more than just a one-trick pony.
Weakness
Will Ward play on the outside in an NFL offense like he did in Hawaii’s run-and-shoot? Without Henry Ruggs/Hollywood Brown-type speed, he may be typecast as a slot receiver. And despite the lack of a pro day, Ward himself has acknowledged that continuing to add strength is a priority.
Draft Prediction
Like Cedric Byrd, it seems most likely that Ward will have to wait to sign a deal as an undrafted free agent but, like Byrd, he could be the next John Ursua and sneak into Day 3 as a seventh-round pick if the speed entices an NFL team to take that flyer.
