In the 2023 NFL Draft, the Buffalo Bills were able to addres some of their most notable needs. Brandon Beane wanted a playmaker in the first round, so he traded up a couple spots and got the pass-catching tight end in a wide receiver's body, Dalton Kincaid.
Beane also found a starting guard in O'Cyrus Torrence and a possible Tremaine Edmunds replacement in Dorian Williams. But, one area the Bills were unable to address during the draft is on the defensive side of the trenches.
That's why, just a few days after the draft ended, Buffalo went out and signed one of the best available defensive linemen in former Seattle Seahawks veteran Poona Ford. According to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, Ford also took less money to be able to sign with the Bills.
Coming off somewhat of a down year, Ford has been very good over the past three seasons, collectively. He was someone who likely should have been picked up sooner, but fortunately for the Bills, they snatched him.
The Buffalo Bills signed Poona Ford to a 1-year prove-it deal, which fits perfect for their timeline
Coming in on just a 1-year deal, it gives Ford an opportunity to prove his worth going into another year of free agency in 2024. Not only that, but interestingly enough, Daquan Jones is in the final year of his contract in Buffalo as well. This could be a friendly competition to see which guy the Bills want to keep around beyond 2023.
It remains to be seen whether or not Ford will step right in and start over Jones, but at the very least, there will be some healthy competition there over the summer. And, the Bills have tremendous depth now with either Jones or Ford coming in as a reserve.
The one thing about Ford that Bills fans should know, beyond any stats or numbers, is that he is a big man at 310 pounds, but possesses incredible footwork. If he can hone in on those quick feet and re-establish himself and his technique in getting pressure from the interior, the Bills' pass rush should be greatly improved.
Ford graded out very high in both pass rush and run defense over his 2021 season, per Pro Football Focus, which checks out based on how the Seahawks felt about him going into 2022. Ford was an integral part of that defensive line and now becomes the same for Buffalo.
At just 27 years old, Ford has plenty of football left in him and should be extra motivated after a down year, and after only being able to sign a 1-year contract in Buffalo. Again, he did take less money by choice, so that should speak volumes about his character. The guy just wants to win, and Bills fans have to love that.