By Charlie Campbell, @draftcampbell
This series was created a number of years ago in response to questions about why certain well-known prospects went unselected in NFL drafts. For these articles, I reach out to sources with NFL teams to find out why their organizations passed on drafting a given player, and/or, what were the reasons for other teams to pass on that prospect. The positive response to “Why Undrafted” and questions from readers about why prospects were drafted lower than the media expectations led us to create the parallel series “Why the Slide?”
Both series are back this year. Feel free to email me requests for Why the Slide? and Why Undrafted? at [email protected]. I can’t promise to get to all of them, but I will do my best and definitely will respond to the email.
West Virginia’s Bryce Ford-Wheaton put together one of the most impressive workouts from the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine. He checked in with big size at 6-foot-4, 22 pounds and ran a shockingly fast 40-yard dash of 4.38 seconds. That is a rare combination of size and speed for a wide receiver. However, Ford-Wheaton did not have significant production in college. Over 2022, he totaled 62 catches for 675 yards and seven touchdowns. It was his best season of production, as he did not have a big seasons in 2021 (42-575-3) or in 2020 (27-416-3). Still, Ford-Wheaton’s combine numbers had many thinking he would get selected in the mid- or late rounds of the 2023 NFL Draft, yet he fell undrafted.
Team sources say there were a variety of reasons that led to Ford-Wheaton going undrafted. He had some medical issues that were a concern, but the biggest issue was his play on the field. “Too many drops,” said an AFC director of player personnel. “He doesn’t know how to run routes and doesn’t play to his size.” Thus, those were the issues that led to him falling to the undrafted ranks.
After going undrafted, Ford-Wheaton signed with the New York Giants, which was a good landing spot. The Giants had a severe lack of talent at receiver in 2022 and have been adding some pieces this offseason to try and improve their weapons for Daniel Jones. Parris Campbell was their biggest acquisition in free agency, but Campbell has had durability issues. Aside from Campbell, the players who are virtual locks for the roster include Jalin Hyatt, Darius Slayton, Isaiah Hodgins and Wan’Dale Robinson. That leaves roughly two roster spots for Ford-Wheaton to compete to secure, as many teams carry seven receivers. He could also earn a spot on the practice squad. While Ford-Wheaton may be disappointed he went undrafted, he found a great landing spot to compete for the 53-man roster and playing time as soon as his rookie season. If Ford-Wheaton plays up to his skill set, he could be a steal for the Giants.
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