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Buffalo Bills: Ranking the 4 biggest X-factors this season

By Brandon Croce

Aug 13, 2021; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Ed Oliver (91) reacts after making a sack during the first quarter against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 13, 2021; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Ed Oliver (91) reacts after making a sack during the first quarter against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports /
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Buffalo Bills
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – AUGUST 21: Bilal Nichols #98 of the Chicago Bears rushes against Cody Ford #74 of the Buffalo Billsduring a preseason game at Soldier Field on August 21, 2021 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bills defeated the Bears 41-15. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

Number 2: Cody Ford

While Sean McDermott wasn’t ready to name his starting offensive line last week, based on preseason performance it would be surprising if Cody Ford wasn’t one of the starting guards for the Bills this year.

The former second round pick has been up and down in the first two years in the league but the Bills have asked a lot from him. Entering the NFL Draft, Ford looked to be an ideal guard but based on the roster he helped the team best at right tackle his rookie season.

This past season, the Bills added free agent Daryl Williams, who stepped in as the starter, and it allowed Ford to move inside to guard. However, he once again was asked to bounce around and played both left and right guard before suffering a season-ending knee injury.

One of the reasons Cody Ford is ranked so high is he is an excellent run blocker and could be the missing piece to help jump-start this run game. The Buffalo Bills have talented running backs but struggled to get this part of the offense going last year.

A healthy Cody Ford, along with one who has been able to focus exclusively at guard this offseason, could be in a position to take that next step and breakout for the Buffalo Bills in 2021.

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