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Bills trade up two spots, select OT/G Cody Ford with 38th overall pick in 2019 Draft

Posted at 7:47 PM, Apr 26, 2019
and last updated 2019-04-26 20:32:58-04

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — The Buffalo Bills have added more protection for quarterback Josh Allen, drafting offensive tackle/guard Cody Ford on Friday evening.

The Bills originally had the 40th pick of the night but traded up to #38 through a trade with Oakland. In return, the Bills gave the Raiders their initial 40th pick and the 158th overall pick.

Ford played three seasons with the Oklahoma Sooners. Last season he started all 14 games at right tackles and was a first-team All-Big 12 selection and an AP All-America Third Team selection.

The Bills currently have seven more picks in this year's draft including one in the third round.

Twitter: @JennaCallari

Joe B's Take

With a run on offensive linemen taking over the second round by storm, the Bills chose to deal one of their later picks to assure that they brought in a player that they believed in -- and one that can jump into the starting lineup quickly. GM Brandon Beane had seven Day Three selections in his back pocket, which gave him the flexibility to strike for Cody Ford.

In Ford, the Bills are getting an outstanding run blocker with the size (almost 6-foot-4 and 329-pounds) and length (34-inch arms), and even though he lacks the athleticism that other offensive tackles bring to the table, he does a proficient enough job on his kick-slide and is good at mirroring in space.

In pass blocking situations, I really liked his ability to settle in against a bull rush to keep the defender at bay. He also has good enough athleticism to pull along the line of scrimmage, and to get in front of a screen.

On the downside, Ford can get a little too antsy at tackle and whiff from time to time, especially if going up against a quicker opponent, which makes some wonder if he'd benefit from a move inside to guard.

The Bills will likely be open to the idea of Ford starting at either right tackle or inside at guard, simply wanting to get him on the field before making any definitive decisions. If I had to guess, after playing right tackle the previous season, I think that's where the Bills will give him a chance to win a job first.

However, regardless of where they put him, I believe Ford becomes a starter for this team -- whether it's in training camp and the preseason, or a month or so into his rookie season. He's too talented, considering the other players on the roster, to keep on the sidelines for too long.

Twitter: @JoeBuscaglia