The Arizona Cardinals are strengthening their offensive line, as they acquired offensive guard Cody Ford from the Buffalo Bills for a fifth-round pick in 2023, according to the Bills. Ford has been on the offensive line a lot in his three NFL seasons and actually ended up on the bench last year. A change of scenery could be beneficial for the 25-year-old player.
The Bills selected Ford with the 38th overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft in Oklahoma. Probably one of the main reasons the Cardinals were interested in Ford is that he found success with star quarterback Kyler Murray while they were in college. This is the second former Sooner that general manager Steve Keim has brought in via trade, as Arizona also acquired former Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Marquise Brown in the 2022 NFL Draft.
Below we will attempt to rate this transaction.
Invoices: B
You can’t say the Bills didn’t give Ford an opportunity. He started 15 of 16 games of his rookie season at right tackle and all seven games he played in his second season at guard. Then 2021 came along and things didn’t get any better.
Ford wasn’t able to establish himself as a legitimate starter during his time in Buffalo, so getting a fifth-round pick in exchange for him is solid value. Yes, it’s a miss since Ford was a second-round pick the Bills traded for in 2019, but getting a fifth-round pick in exchange for a lineman who isn’t on your starting lineup is a good thing.
Cardinals: C-
The Cardinals offensive line inside is set with guards Justin Pugh, Will Hernandez and center Rodney Hudson, but Ford at least gives Arizona some depth if anyone gets injured. It’s also very possible that Ford’s best football days are ahead of him, and reuniting with his college quarterback is something that could lead to better, more consistent play. At the same time, Ford hasn’t been very good. It’s just as possible that this change of scenery won’t improve his game, and the Cardinals simply threw out a pick.
It’s an intriguing flyer, but at the same time, a fifth-round pick is a fifth-round pick. Going back to the 2019 NFL Draft, the Los Angeles Rams found their starting left guard in David Edwards in the fifth round! I wonder if the Cardinals could have had it for less.
