2019 NFL Mock Draft: Projected first round after college football season

Cody Ford headlined an Oklahoma offensive line that won the Joe Moore Award in 2018. Ford and his unit finally got some praise with the award after the season was spent glowing about Heisman Trophy winner Kyler Murray.

Ford helped lead a line that gave Murray ample time to pick apart secondaries, while also paving the way for two 1,000 yard rushers, and another that finished just shy of the mark.

Minnesota’s offensive line was fine in pass protection, but they’ve got to find some upgrades to boost their pedestrian ground game. They have a talented young running back in former Florida State standout Dalvin Cook, but the Vikings still ranked 30th in the NFL in rushing in 2018.

A guard makes more sense than a tackle, but Ford is versatile enough to play four different positions on the offensive line. Starting right tackle Rashod Hill is also slated to be a free agent this offseason anyway, so Ford could slide right in as his replacement, or potentially shift to guard to replace Tom Compton.

The Vikings boasted the No. 4 ranked defense per DVOA this season, but they could look at targeting a defensive tackle or an edge rusher with the potential departures of Sheldon Richardson and Anthony Barr in free agency. That could make Christian Wilkins/Jeffery Simmons, or Louisiana Tech edge-rusher Jaylon Ferguson, serious options with this pick.

With a game-managing QB in Kirk Cousins in tow, however, they need to fix their ground game first and foremost if they want to get back to the postseason after a one-year reprieve.