Tim Ward, NY Jets, Stats, PFF Grade, Kansas City Chiefs
Tim Ward, NY Jets, Kansas City Chiefs, Getty Images

Tim Ward brings intriguing pass-rush potential to the New York Jets

Continuing their quest to fill the shoes of Carl Lawson, the New York Jets claimed former Kansas City Chiefs edge rusher Tim Ward off of waivers.

An undrafted free agent out of Old Dominion in 2019, Ward signed with the Chiefs and remained with the team until he was released on Tuesday as part of Kansas City’s final roster cuts.

Ward, 24, spent his rookie season recovering from an ACL injury that he suffered near the end of his final season at Old Dominion. He returned in 2020 and made the Chiefs’ practice squad, playing one regular season game in his second season. He appeared in all three preseason games this season as he competed for a roster spot.

The numbers posted by Ward over his small sample of NFL snaps are inspiring. Let’s take a look at what he offers on the field.

Athletic profile

Ward did not get a chance to participate in any drills leading into the draft as he recovered from his injury. He is listed at 6-foot-6 and 255 pounds.

Usage, role, and playing time

At the end of the 2020 season, Ward got a huge opportunity as he was given the start in Kansas City’s season finale against the Chargers. He played 57 snaps in his lone regular season appearance.

Ward put a few more miles on his tires in the 2021 preseason as he logged 103 snaps over three games.

Kansas City almost always places Ward on the edge. He has only played a handful of snaps on the inside (6 snaps, making up 3.8% of his plays).

Ward has been a versatile edge defender. The Chiefs have asked him to put his hands in the dirt (defensive end) and stand up (outside linebacker) at a fairly even split.

Between his 2020 appearance and the 2021 preseason, Ward has put his hands in the dirt on 47% of his snaps and stood up on 53%.

The Chiefs preferred to use Ward on the right side of the defensive line. Ward lined up on the right side for 85% of his plays between the regular season and the preseason. In his regular season appearance, Ward played all of his snaps on the right side.

Ward can drop into coverage once in a while. He dropped back on seven of his 160 total snaps (4.4%).

Tim Ward’s pass-rushing has been impressive in a small sample

He has only been given 89 chances to get after the quarterback over his four professional appearances, but that has been enough for Tim Ward to show a bevy of attention-grabbing flashes in the passing game.


Jets X-Factor Membership
Sorry, the content stops here if you’re not a Jet X Member, not currently logged-in, or viewing from an outside source such as Google AMP or an RSS Feed where logged-in status is not possible.

Get Started with the button below to access this Jets X-Factor article and the best damn New York Jets content in the world for free (after becoming a member, search for this article near the bottom of the Membership Confirmation page):
Jets X-Factor, Get Started
Log In with the button below if you’re already a member:
Jets X-Factor, Log In
Connect with the button below if you’d like to create a free account first:
Jets X-Factor, Connect

Audio Version available to members only: Learn more here

Download Jet X Mobile on the App Store and Google Play.

Want More NY Jets News & Jets X-Factor Content?

Download the free Jet X Mobile App to get customizable notifications directly to your iOS (App Store) or Google/Android (Google Play) device.

Add Jets X-Factor to your Google News feed to stay up to date with the New York Jets.

Follow us on Twitter @jetsxfactor for all the latest New York Jets news, Facebook for even more, Instagram for some of the top NY Jets images, and YouTube for original Jets X-Factor videos.

Join the official Jets Discord community to connect with likeminded fans.

Michael Nania is one of the best analytical New York Jets minds in the world, combining his statistical expertise with game film to add proper context to the data. Nania scrapes every corner, ensuring you know all there is to know about everyone from the QB to the long snapper. Nania's Numbers, Nania's QB Grades, and Nania's All-22 give fans a deeper and more well-rounded dive into the Jets than anyone else can offer. Email: michael.nania[at]jetsxfactor.com - Twitter: @Michael_Nania
0 0 votes
Article Rating
Subscribe
Notify of
1 Comment
Newest
Oldest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
JetOrange
JetOrange
2 years ago

Great scouting, potential, love the Length, tackling ability provides hope, assuming he will back up JFM