Cody Ford’s first two years with the Buffalo Bills have been characterized by slowly traveling left across the offensive line and it appears his new home, at least for the 2020 season, will be at left guard. McDermott announced on Monday in his weekly press conference that Ford will be playing at guard for the foreseeable future.
The second-year player began this season playing at right guard in place of the injured Jon Feliciano, but made the transition to left guard for the past two games, replacing last year’s starter there, Quinton Spain. Clearly, the coaches largely approve of his play along the interior and likely decided that once Feliciano returns to his starting spot, Ford should remain in the lineup.
Coming into the draft, most evaluators were split on if Ford, a right tackle at Oklahoma, could remain at that position in the NFL or whether the ideal position for a mauler like him would be guard. Those advocating for tackle pointed to his anchor strength and his elite movement skills in the run game, while those arguing for guard saw how physical and strong he was at the point of attack in the run game.
After being drafted in the second round, Buffalo’s coaches gave him the start at right tackle in 2019, but it was clear throughout the season that he was struggling there and that he was the team’s weak link along the line. Now this season, the team chose free-agent signee Daryl Williams as their starter at tackle, forcing Ford to switch line positions.