2019 NFL Draft: Cody Ford’s potential makes him a first round lock
Former Oklahoma offensive tackle Cody Ford has sky-high potential, with a ceiling as high as any offensive lineman in the 2019 NFL Draft.
With only one year of starting under his belt, the NFL saw enough of Oklahoma’s Cody Ford to peg him as one of the most sought after offensive linemen in the 2019 NFL Draft.
Ford started at right tackle for the Sooners last season, and helped anchor an offensive line that won the Joe Moore Award as the top offensive line in college football. Not only did Ford and company keep the pocket clean for a Heisman Trophy winning quarterback in Kyler Murray, they were absolutely dominant in the running game.
Ford helped pave the way for three rushers to eclipse 900 yards on the ground. Both Murray and Kennedy Brooks went over 1000 yards, and Trey Sermon was nipping at their heels with 947.
For his efforts, Ford was recognized as a third-team All-American and a second-team All-Big 12 performer. He enters the draft with serious versatility and upside, and will undoubtedly hear his name called on the opening night.
Strengths
It begins and ends with Ford’s ability as a run blocker. He’s an absolute mauler in the running game, playing each snap with a mean streak. He finishes plays emphatically, hoping to pancake defenders in the dirt. He’s not afraid to let them hear about it after, either.
Ford has impressive strength and athleticism, making him a load to deal with for defensive linemen. He’s great at making the initial block, tossing a defender aside, and then working his way to the second level to help spring runners for big gains down the field.
Ford has excellent balance that makes him tough to move from his spots. Bull rushes are consistently ineffective due to his powerful base and strong hands; he’s able to stymie even the strongest of defensive linemen.
His ability as a run-blocker particularly could intrigue teams to shift him inside to guard. He could be a perennial Pro Bowler at guard, but his upside is so great that he will at least get a look at tackle early on in his NFL career.
His versatility to play multiple positions along the offensive line only adds to his overall intrigue.
Weaknesses
With just one year of starting under his belt, Ford has some technical issues that will need refinement by NFL coaching. There’s nothing overly concerning there, though, as proper coaching should fix any kinks he has.
His footwork, in particular, needs work. He has the agility to combat speed rushers off the edge, but he often takes false steps that make him vulnerable to quick edge rushers. There weren’t many Big 12 rushers who could take advantage of that, but that changes once his NFL career begins.
Some teams might question his level of competition in the Big 12, but Ford’s tape shows a player who in the very least should be a serviceable starting offensive lineman. If he still struggles to combat the speed off the edge after fixing his technique, he’ll shift inside to guard and still likely be a quality player.
He’s going to be drafted with the idea of being a tackle, though.
Draft Expectations
The top of the draft board for offensive linemen offers plenty of intrigue. Florida’s Jawaan Taylor, Alabama’s Jonah Williams, and even Washington State’s Andre Dillard could join Ford as potential Top 15 draft picks.
Ask five scouts who the top offensive lineman in this draft class is and you are bound to get five different responses. Ford could very well be the first offensive lineman taken in this class, or he could fall behind all three of the other tackles pushing for high draft selections.
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Regardless, Ford’s upside might dwarf all the other linemen in this class. I don’t see him going in the Top-10, but he’s still going to go plenty high. His ceiling is probably the Bengals at No. 11, and the Packers, Dolphins, and Falcons picking right after them might also pull the trigger on the talented Oklahoma product.
The Vikings at No. 18 are probably Ford’s floor.