Skip to content

LEAGUES News

Bills trade up to select Cody Ford, fortify O-line

Icon Sportswire / Getty

The Buffalo Bills traded up with the Oakland Raiders to select offensive tackle Cody Ford out of Oklahoma in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft, 38th overall.

Oakland received the 40th pick and a fifth-round selection (No. 158 overall) in return.

Ford gives the Bills another potential starter for their offensive line, which underwent an overhaul via free agency and could feature five new starters in 2019.

Ford started 21 games for the Sooners over his collegiate career. He was an All-Big 12 first-team selection in 2018 after establishing himself as an elite right tackle helping protect quarterback Kyler Murray.

Prospect profile

School: Oklahoma
Height: 6-4
Weight: 329 lbs

Strengths

  • Great size with strength and athleticism to match
  • Lower-body strength to anchor in pass protection and drive legs while run-blocking
  • Mirrors opponent with good lateral movement to account for counters
  • Good awareness to pass off twisting rushers and pick up others
  • Plays physical with a nasty demeanor to finish blocks

Weaknesses

  • Needs to improve hand placement and timing of punch in pass protection
  • Doesn’t really work to the second level effectively in the run game
  • 10 penalties in 2018

Bottom line

Ford is a massive lineman whose physicality and aggressive style can set the tone for a five-man unit up front. His technique will need to improve, and ideally, his athleticism would better translate to effectiveness working upfield in the running game, but those are areas that can be developed. Everything else in his game is very impressive. Whether it's as a guard or as a tackle, Ford should be an impact starter from Day 1.

RELATED NEWS

THAT'S MIKKE GRANLUND FROM MIRO HEISKANEN AND MATT DUCHENE F...
Granlund unloads one-timer for clutch hat-trick goal 😲
Julio Rodríguez appears out of nowhere to rob Aaron Judge of...
Mariners' Rodríguez runs it down to rob Judge of extra bases 👏
JUNIOR CAMINERO GO-AHEAD GRAND SLAM IN THE 9TH!
Rays' Caminero belts game-winning grand slam in 9th inning to stun Blue Jays 💥
OFF TO THE RACES! 🏇 RYSE | #TexasHockey
Granlund grabs another with his 2nd laser of the night 🎯
ANOTHER THREE FROM HALIBURTON 🤯 5 IN THE SECOND QUARTER AL...
Haliburton drains 3 from logo as part of 15-point 2nd quarter 🎯
Cooper Flagg at No. 1... and then what? Who goes top 10 in t...
Potential top 10 picks in the 2025 draft 🤩
Is anyone beating Team USA at the 2026 World Baseball Classi...
Is Team USA the favorite heading into the World Baseball Classic? 😤