When the Eagles go on the clock with the No. 25 overall pick in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft, it would be surprising if their time ended with them selecting anything but a linemen from either side of the ball.
The Eagles' front office, as expressed again by Howie Roseman at the NFL Annual Meetings, believe in building from the inside out. If the Eagles decide to go with a defensive linemen there will be plenty to choose from, as the draft is extremely deep along the defensive line, both at end and tackle.
If the Eagles decide to go with an offensive linemen, however, all signs seem to point to it being Cody Ford from Oklahoma.
Ford, 6-foot-3, 338 pounds, recently visited the Eagles at the NovaCare Complex for an official pre-draft visit, and it is easy to see why the team has interest in him. Ford leaves Oklahoma having played both tackle and guard. Of the 21 career starts Ford made at Oklahoma, seven came on the interior at guard. Pro Football Focus has him as the fourth-best pass blocking offensive tackle in the draft, allowing just 12 total pressures in 681 pass blocking snaps last season.
For the Eagles, Ford could fill a number of different roles.
To start, more than anything, the Eagles need an infusion of youth along the offensive line. They will likely be replacing Jason Peters as soon as 2020, and center Jason Kelce might not be far behind either. Both of their guard spots, with Brandon Brooks returning from an Achilles tear and Isaac Seumalo having an up-and-down career thus far, are question marks. Finding a young, athletic backup that can play multiple spots should be high on their list.
Ford could potentially be groomed to be a stater at either tackle spot or either guard spot, with center being the only position it would be a stretch to project him at. Perhaps he could become an upgrade over Seumalo. Perhaps he could step in for Peters if Jordan Mailata doesn't pan out. Although there isn't an immediate need for Ford, or an immediate clear role, his versatility and youth would be extremely valuable for the Eagles right away, as especially as they start to project how they are going to keep Carson Wentz healthy for the next five-plus years.
Ford is currently projected to go in the first round, and there is a chance he doesn't make it to the Eagle at No. 25 overall. If he does, however, it would not be surprising at all to see the Eagles use a first-round pick on an offensive linemen for the first time since they took Lane Johnson at No. 4 overall in 2013.
You can follow Eliot Shorr-Parks on Twitter at @EliotShorrParks or email him at esp@94wip.com!
