One of the more versatile offensive linemen in the 2019 NFL Draft, Cody Ford embodies the traits NFL teams want in an offensive lineman. He is thick, extremely athletic, and he gained the experience necessary to be a Day One starter no matter where he makes his home in the NFL.
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While at Oklahoma, Ford lined up wherever head coach Lincoln Reilly needed to put him. His ability to get out of his stance quickly, find his assignment and accelerate downfield gives him the option of playing guard or center at the NFL level, and he showed that by posting 80.0 pass-blocking grades in each of his three seasons.
When asked to pass block, Ford dropped into his set and rarely lost, constantly mirroring his assignments with the right amount of power. His pressure rate allowed ranked fourth in the draft class, and he only surrendered seven quarterback pressures, tied for sixth-fewest in the draft class among tackles.
Ford also showed the ability to pave the way in the running game for OU. He played with aggressiveness, opened up gaps, and made solid initial contact with the defender. His 72.2 run-blocking grade ranks 17th in the draft class, and his success rate is right up there with the other top draft-eligible prospects.
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