OAKLAND, CA - OCTOBER 16: Defensive end Jihad Ward #95 of the Oakland Raiders waits for a play against the Kansas City Chiefs in the fourth quarter on October 16, 2016 at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum in Oakland, California. The Chiefs won 26-10. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)

How did the Oakland Raiders mishandle their 2016 second-round pick, Jihad Ward? What’s next for the Illinois product, and what’s his role going forward?

When a high draft pick doesn’t pan out, we’re quick to call him a bust that didn’t have enough talent to excel in the pros. However, when addressing the Oakland Raiders‘ 4-5 start to the season, general manager Reggie McKenzie took the blame for Jihad Ward’s developmental setback.

As a rookie, Ward started 13 games and played 636 snaps during the previous season. In 2017, he’s only been active for three games, taking only 35 snaps on defense through nine contests. Oakland’s defense has allowed 100-plus rushing yards in five contests. The pass rush lists last along with the New York Giants under the sacks category with 13 in total.

The Raiders could use an athletic defensive lineman to generate pocket pressure or penetrate into the opponent’s backfield. Unfortunately, Ward isn’t equipped to help his team.

McKenzie provided the answer as to why via San Jose Mercury News reporter Jerry McDonald:

Last year we moved him to a different position. He kind of played a number of different positions. I don’t think he was quite mentally ready to understand the techniques of them all. There were three different positions he was playing. That’s a little different for a guy who hasn’t really played D-line for a while. He’s still in the learning process. If there’s an opportunity for him to get in there and play he’ll be ready.

After defensive lineman Mario Edwards Jr. suffered a hip injury during the 2016 preseason, the coaching staff thrust Ward into a starting spot on the defensive line.

Then, asked him to play multiple spots despite his raw technique. In other words, head coach Jack Del Rio and defensive coordinator Ken Norton Jr. put their inexperienced second-rounder in a tough spot.

The questions circle back to McKenzie. Why draft a raw player with limited experience in the second round? Knowing this, the coaches expected him to shift through multiple positions in his first season as a starter. The phrase next man up applies to all 32 teams but it may cause a setback in the learning process.

Initially, Ward played safety and wide receiver at Globe Institute of Technology before transitioning to defensive lineman and transferring to Illinois. Despite flashing on tape during his two-year stay with the Fighting Illini, the Philadelphia native entered the draft as a raw prospect, per NFL Media analyst Lance Zierlein:

“Ward is a developmental prospect who has the size to fit as a 4-­3 base end or defensive tackle and as a 3­-4 defensive end.”

Nonetheless, the Raiders skipped over the developmental description in Ward’s scouting report. McKenzie likely coveted his potential to play three positions on the defensive front.

Of course, Oakland didn’t anticipate Edwards missing 14 games. However, it became clear that the Illinois product needed more time to develop when he couldn’t shed blocks or adequately fill gaps on the defensive line.

The Raiders came to the conclusion a bit too late. Ward didn’t start the final three games of the 2016 season and listed inactive for the playoff game against the Houston Texans.

To make matters worse, Ward underwent a surgery on his left foot during the offseason, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, which kept him on the sideline until the second preseason game. The absence also factors into his slow development as a project player.

Ward’s long-term outlook looks cloudy at best. The front office drafted two interior defensive linemen, Eddie Vanderdoes and Treyvon Hester. At the moment, the Raiders have a deep rotation across the front line. Unless there’s an injury, where will Ward see significant snaps?

For now, the 2016 second-rounder must wait his turn to prove himself. However, the coaching staff deserves partial fault for his slow start. The next-man-up mentality doesn’t always work out to a player’s benefit.

Now, the Raiders have a high draft pick waiting in limbo. He’s full of potential, but there’s no clear-cut plan for him to contribute to the defense.