2019 NFL Draft: Projected First Round after NFL Combine
OT/OG. Oklahoma. Cody Ford. 13. player. 59.
Oklahoma’s Cody Ford headlined an Oklahoma offensive line that was the best in college football last season, with a bevy of projected early round draft picks in this class. Ford has the versatility to play tackle or to kick inside to guard, and he should immediately help to upgrade the line for whichever team drafts him in April.
The Dolphins need upgrades all across their offensive line. Miami ranked tied for fifth in the NFL in giving up 52 sacks. Left tackle Laremy Tunsil is a good initial building block, but they need to build around him as they look to rebuild their roster.
Miami has long been connected with quarterbacks in this class, but they seem content to punt the decision to 2020, potentially tanking on the 2019 season in order to make a run at Alabama’s Tua Tagovailoa or Oregon’s Justin Herbert next year.
Missouri’s Drew Lock could be enticing with this selection, but unless they fall in love with him during the pre-draft process and view him as a franchise-altering talent, look for them to stick with their 2020 plan and try and build up the roster around a quarterback before picking one next year.
Ford and Florida’s Jawaan Taylor are the top two available offensive linemen at this point, and either would be a good fit in Miami. They might also target an edge rusher such as Clemson’s Clelin Ferrell or Florida’s Jachai Polite to improve their aging pass rush. A wide receiver might also be enticing, with Oklahoma’s Marquise Brown representing the top WR on the board.