Cody Ford would be a great addition to the Panthers’ offensive line if he’s still on the board in the second round." Carolina Panthers Film RoomPanthers 2019 NFL DraftFilm room scouting report on Oklahoma guard/tackle Cody FordNew Luke Kuechly Color Rush Jersey ,40commentsCody Ford would be a great addition to the Panthers’ offensive line if he’s still on the board in the second round.EDTCody Ford played at Pineville High in Pineville, La. He was rated as a four-star recruit according to Rivals. He committed to Oklahoma over Arkansas, TCU, and Mississippi State. Ford started three games at left guard in 2016 before an injury prematurely ended his season. He played in every game in 2017, but only started four games which came at left guard. During his final year in Norman, Ford started every game at right tackle. He was named to the First-team All-Big 12 selection according to coaches.Ford’s athletic testing was a -0.4 sigma, which landed in the 34th percentile according to SPARQ. Film reviewFord’s experience at guard and tackle gives him the experience of having versatility. This is critical in today’s game because teams only carry around seven offensive linemen on a 53-man roster. I knew Oklahoma’s offensive line was great, but I had no clue how effective of a pass blocker Ford is. He has a clean kick slide and usually gains enough depth to protect the edge. According to Sports Info Solutions, he only blew 2 blocks in pass protection.Note: All clips are at RT. Ford is No. 74.Just last week, I heaped praise on TCU edge rusher Ben Banogu. Outside of maybe one or two plays, Ford shut him down. He took good angles and he timed his hand punches perfectly. When Ford does get his chest exposed Ryan Kalil Color Rush Jersey , he rarely flusters. As seen on this play, he drops his hips at contact, bends his knees, and anchors. He has outstanding lower body strength, which gives him a solid foundation in both the run and pass. As the edge rusher attempts a long arm on Ford, he doesn’t get phased. He understands how to use his hands against various rushes, which will certainly help his transition.Ford could stand to improve with his hand placement. He has a tendency to miss the target, which gives quicker edge rushers to elude him inside or outside. Ford is a mauler in the run game. According to Sports Info Solutions, Oklahoma ran 4.4 yards before contact when running to his gap. Ford is a good mover in space. He pulls across the formation, identifies the target, and gains momentum to land a solid block.As Ford moves to the second level Graham Gano Jersey , he takes a measured approach to look for work. Once he identifies the linebacker, he lands the punch on the outside shoulder of the linebacker to keep the alley clean for the running back.Ford tested as a below average athlete, but he looked fluid moving laterally. Oklahoma ran an even mixture of zone and gap runs (43.1% zone, 45.1% gap) according to Sports Info Solutions. Ford is scheme versatile. Ford is a mauler who loves to act like a bully. He moves defenders with his functional strength, but the power he generates from his entire body is fun to watch. I mean, on each of these clips he’s moving defenders. Fit with CarolinaFord was a left guard for the Sooners before 2018. If he is drafted by Carolina, that’s where he should play. The Panthers have two NFL starting right tackles on their roster. They don’t need another. Ford has the functional strength, quick athleticism, and intelligence to be a fantastic guard. He moves well in space, but more importantly his pass protection skill set is above average. I will be surprised if Ford is still on the board in the second round, but Carolina should sprint to the podium if he is. Cam Newton and the Panthers are proving they can win without throwing the ball deep down the field.The 2015 league MVP has attempted 16 passes 鈥?and completed just three 鈥?that have travelled longer than 20 yards in the air this season Julius Peppers Jersey , according the NFL’s Next Gen stats. That’s far fewer than most other NFL quarterbacks. Kansas City’s Patrick Mahomes, for instance, has completed 17 of 42 passes beyond 20 yards, with eight of those going for touchdowns.Newton said the lack of vertical passing game isn’t something he’s concerned with entering Sunday’s home game against the Ravens (4-3), especially with his team 4-2 this season.“When you are moving the ball, people say why aren’t you taking many shots downfield?” Newton said. “When you take too many shots downfield and it’s not there and you start forcing the ball, they say why can’t you protect the ball? So our thing is we turn our ears to mute and take what the defense is giving us. When we have opportunities to take shots down the field trust and believe nobody loves touchdowns more than I do 鈥?and if it’s there I’m going to take it.”Added Newton: “If not, you just live to fight another day.”Coach Ron Rivera likes that approach, saying he is just fine with how Newton is playing. Newton has completed 11 touchdown passes this season and has four interceptions and has a solid 94.7 QB rating.“I think the quarterback is very efficient with (the ball) right now,” Rivera said. “There’s no reason to panic.”The formula seems to be working for the Panthers, who are winning games behind Newton’s heroics.Three weeks ago against the Giants the eighth-year QB rallied Carolina back in the final seconds DJ Moore Color Rush Jersey , leading a drive that set up Graham Gano‘s winning 63-yard field goal. This past Sunday Newton brought the Panthers back from a 17-0 deficit on the road against the Super Bowl champion Eagles with three TD drives to finish the game, earning him his 10th career NFC Offensive Player of the Week honor on Wednesday.Rivera said when the game is on the line Newton has the same mentality as Michael Jordan, a six-time NBA champion who many still consider the best basketball player of all time.“He’ll come up and say, ‘Put it in my hands, coach. Trust me,'” Rivera said of Newton. “Michael Jordan used to say, ‘Certain guys want the ball when it’s crunch time. Other guys just don’t seem to come off the picks the way they’re supposed to.’ I’ve told that to Cam, and Cam has always wanted the ball.”Although the Panthers still looking stagnant at times on offense 鈥?including the first three quarters against the Eagles when they managed just seven first downs and no points 鈥?Newton seems adjusting well to new offensive coordinator Norv Turner’s scheme, which features more check downs and screen plays than the Panthers have typically run in the past.“When we get into the logistic things of football, and what the defense is giving and what they aren’t, you can’t just go down and chuck the football downfield and just expect James Color Rush Bradberry Jersey , ‘Well, we didn’t take shots in the game,'” Newton said. “That’s not what good teams or offenses do. We don’t let the defense dictate to us, we dictate to the defense. So that’s been our approach.”With the emphasis focused on shorter routes, Newton is completing a career-high 65.6 percent of his passes, well above his career average of 58.9 percent.So while Newton says he likes the big play as much as anyone, he seems fine with Turner’s philosophy 鈥?as long as the Panthers are winning games.“Whatever Norv and his offensive staff calls it’s my job as the quarterback to execute it,” Newton said. “If I see anything otherwise, it’s my job to make the proper audible. If not, then run the play.”