Rookie Cody Ford seeing reps as Buffalo Bills starting right tackle

The Buffalo Bills are giving rookie offensive lineman Cody Ford starting reps at the right tackle position in training camp.

The Buffalo Bills second-round selection of Oklahoma offensive lineman Cody Ford in the 2019 NFL Draft was widely praised by the draft community. Ford was considered by most to be a first-round offensive line prospect and the Bills entered the offseason with many needs up front. Landing Ford in the second to fill such an obvious need is an absolute home run.

Ford is a big and powerful offensive lineman who had success at both guard and right tackle in college. He is a nasty run blocker who can dominate at the point of attack and has good athleticism for a man of his size (6-foot-4, 329 pounds). Whether he ends up playing tackle or guard for the Bills, Ford has the makings of a productive player for the Bills.

The Bills offensive line was a disaster last season and they aggressively added up front throughout the offseason. In addition to bringing in Ford through the draft, the Buffalo Bills signed a variety of veteran free agent offensive linemen. Most notably; center Mitch Morse, tackle Ty Nsekhe, interior lineman Spencer Long and guard Quinton Spain. Each of these new additions has a great chance of seeing significant playing time for the Bills in 2019.

With Dion Dawkins back at left tackle, Nsekhe appeared to be the favorite to start at right tackle for the Bills in 2019. However, according to Nick Wojton of Bills Wire, Ford has been the Bills’ starting right tackle through the early part of training camp.

"“The Bills’ second’ round pick from the recent NFL draft has spent the first two days of the team’s training camp as the starting right tackle,” Wojton wrote."

However, head coach Sean McDermott still wants to take advantage of Ford’s positional versatility and see what he can do at guard.

"“There is thought to his position flexibility. You know with the young players, you have to watch how much you put on them early so they can get comfortable at one position and we’ll see how it goes from there,” McDermott said, according to Wojton."

Ford getting first-team reps at right tackle right away is certainly interesting. His pass protection was spotty in college and needs to improve if he is going to play tackle at the next level. That being said, Ford has the overall skill set needed to be a very good starting right tackle for the Buffalo Bills.

It is nice to see the Bills giving Ford an immediate opportunity to prove himself, while also being open to taking advantage of his versatility. Simply put, he is a talented offensive line prospect who should be a valuable addition to the Bills in 2019 and beyond. There will certainly be competition, but I like Ford’s chances of locking down a starting spot.