Can Ike Hilliard Be Atlanta’s Next Dwayne Ledford?

To answer the question in the title of this article as quickly as possible, Ike Hilliard’s career says yes.

The Atlanta Falcons coaching staff underwent a major overhaul this offseason, with the trio of Raheem Morris, Jimmy Lake and Zac Robinson taking the spotlight. Head coaches and coordinators are often directly associated with the on-field product, while position coaches are treated more like cogs in a larger machine. However, many have come to realize that this is not entirely the case.

Dwayne Ledford’s rise to become an incredibly valuable asset to the Falcons illustrates the impact position coaches have and how they provide their head coaches and coordinators with a wealth of knowledge.

Ledford has helped transform a perennially volatile offensive line into one of the league’s most respected groups while developing young players like Chris Lindstrom, Drew Dalman, Kaleb McGary and, most recently, Matthew Bergeron. It begs the question: Who else on this staff can have a similar impact?

New Falcons wide receivers coach Ike Hilliard steps in. Hilliard is the most underrated addition to the Falcons coaching staff, and his resume backs it up.

Like Kyle Pitts and Drake London, Hilliard was a top-10 selection after a stellar college career. Unfortunately, Hilliard suffered a season-ending neck injury two games into the season. He has dealt with a myriad of injuries over the years, but that hasn’t stopped him from having a productive 12-year career.

It’s also a career that some Falcons fans may be familiar with, as Hilliard finished his career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where he worked with then-defensive backs coach Raheem Morris. Hilliard’s ability to connect with his players and understand their professional challenges led to a very successful coaching career, instilling confidence in his ability to lead the Falcons’ receivers.

Hilliard has 10 seasons under his belt as a receivers coach, with stints in Washington (2012; 2014-19), Buffalo (2013) and Pittsburgh (2020-21). During his time at each position, he has overseen numerous successful receiver groups, nearly all of which were comprised of young receivers.

Early in his career, Hilliard worked with veterans Santana Moss, Pierre Garçon and Desean Jackson, helping them maintain or reach new heights. During that time, he developed rookies Robert Woods (second-round pick) and Jamison Crowder (fourth-round pick), giving Woods a solid foundation and helping Crowder set the franchise’s rookie receiving record and exceed career expectations. He even turned Ryan Grant (fifth-round pick) into an effective wide receiver. Helping young players reach and exceed their potential would become a theme throughout his career.

Toward the end of his tenure in Washington and the beginning of his tenure in Pittsburgh, Hilliard worked primarily with young or inexperienced receivers. Terry McLaurin was able to get off to a flying start under Hilliard, throwing for 919 yards and seven touchdowns. When Hilliard landed in the Steel City, it was business as usual, but the task was no picnic. Juju Smith-Schuster was the veteran of the group with only three years of playing experience. All of Pittsburgh’s receivers were still on their rookie contracts (more than half were in their first or second year). Hilliard was able to maximize each of their abilities to the fullest during his time there.

During the Hilliard era, Pittsburgh became the seventh team in history to have five players catch at least five touchdown passes in a single season (tight end Eric Ebron was the only non-wide receiver). Chase Claypool led all rookies in touchdown receptions and was second in receiving yards. Smith-Schuster and Washington set single-season touchdown records, and Diontae Johnson earned All-Pro honors in 2021. This young core was never the same after Hilliard left, with all of those players moving on to new teams or preparing to retire. It just goes to show how valuable Hilliard was to the room.

Now, Hilliard finds himself in a familiar situation. The Falcons have untapped talent at receiver, with many believing Drake London, Darnell Mooney and Rondale Moore have yet to reach their ceilings. There’s also rookie Casey Washington, who has already earned praise from the staff following rookie minicamp. Ray-Ray McCloud is a familiar face to Hilliard from his days in Pittsburgh, and the coach has made no secret of his admiration for the receiver. Finally, there’s Kyle Pitts, who will get some work at tight end and receiver. Hilliard has unique experience working with a true hybrid player of Pitts’ caliber, thanks to his time in Washington with Jordan Reed. It truly feels like Hilliard has seen it all, and his relationships have had an immeasurable impact on the players and offenses he’s worked with.

Everyone talks about wanting a Sean McVay or Kyle Shanahan disciple, but this team has both, and Hilliard is part of that illustrious coaching tree. McVay and Hilliard worked as position coaches under father-son duo Mike and Kyle Shanahan, and his receivers competed daily with Raheem Morris’ defensive backs. Hilliard then operated under McVay when he was promoted to offensive coordinator. On top of that, Hilliard worked with a young Kirk Cousins, who set multiple franchise passing records during his time in Washington. That familiarity with the players and staff will only pay dividends as the season goes on.

Morris cares about his players and values ​​his relationships with the coaches, but it’s clear that Hilliard has more than earned this opportunity and all the ones that have come before it. The Falcons may not have taken the approach many had hoped for at wideout, with many still believing there’s no real threat facing London, but Hilliard’s hiring speaks volumes about the staff’s confidence in his ability to get this room where it needs to be.

Can Hilliard be the next Ledford? Yes, and he just needs to be himself to do it. The coach has left his mark everywhere, guiding receivers to success no matter the circumstances.

Which players will benefit most from his arrival in Atlanta? It’s a question many are eager to answer.