23. Houston Texans: Cody Ford, OT, Oklahoma
Someone who wasn’t on many radars to start the season finds his way into the first round here as the Houston Texans take Cody Ford out of Oklahoma. He was a one-year starter but turned plenty of heads with his play.
He was so impressive that Jon Ledyard of The Draft Network said his tape was among the best he watched ahead of this draft.
"“Ford’s tape is among the best and most fun of the 2019 offensive line class, as he shows everything from high-end promise to unbelievably physical finishes. The muscle of the Oklahoma offensive line, Ford has just one year as a full-time starter under his belt, but already his mental processing and technique are pretty impressive. He’s a mauler at the point of attack, while also possessing the athleticism to get out in space and the agility in pass protection to shut down all types of rushers.” — Ledyard, The Draft Network"
That sounds like the exact type of player the Texans need on their offensive line. After being pushed around in 2018, they need a tone-setter who can come in and start winning the physical battles. Ford will bring that to the table for them.