One position battle that won't disappoint during training camp is at the the right tackle spot. Cody Ford, Ty Nsekhe and Daryl Williams are all capable of winning the starting job. Each tackle has different qualities and strengths that they bring to the table. Who will make the offensive line stronger? Who will help the Bills score more points? These questions will be answered during camp. For now, here are a few reasons why each tackle has potential of being the starter.
Cody Ford
Cody Ford is the highest draft pick of the three. He was selected in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft with the 38th overall pick. Although, how high you're drafted doesn't matter if you don't back it up on the field. Ford showed a lot of potential and position flexibility for a rookie, something that isn't easy to do. The rookie started in 15 games, taking snaps at right tackle and right guard through the majority of the season.
If you look at the snap count from 2019, Ford accounted for 761 snaps or 69.4% of the total snaps. Ford took 393 more snaps than Ty Nsekhe last season. What can you expect from Ford in his second season?
Regardless of where Ford lands, you can expect a higher level of play in year two. He played 100% of the snaps from Week 12 to Week 16 when Nsekhe was out with an ankle injury. In those five weeks the Bills faced tough competition playing against the Broncos, Cowboys, Ravens, Steelers and Patriots. Buffalo went 3-2 in what you could call their toughest stretch of games from last season. That says something about a rookie who went up against some of the best in the league at defensive end.
Ty Nsekhe
During his career Ty Nsekhe has mostly played the role of a backup tackle. Even though five games is the most he has started in his six-year career, the tackle has proved he is worthy of a shot at starter. Unfortunately Nsekhe wasn't healthy for the entire 2019 season. If he was, this could be a different story.
Last season, Nsekhe inactive a total of six games due to injury. Nsekhe missed Week 12 through Week 16 with an ankle injury. In the 10 games he played, Nsekhe totaled 368 snaps. That means he was on the offensive line for a total of 33.5% of the snaps. It would have been interesting to see how Nsekhe would have competed against a stretch of top ranked defenses during those five weeks. When healthy, Nsekhe showed he is a talented tackle that can hold his own. He's the tallest of the three at 6-8, and his frame doesn't slow him down. His size and experience are two of his biggest strengths.
Daryl Williams
Daryl Williams is the lone new offensive lineman out of the three. But don't let that fool you, he has plenty of starting experience. The former Carolina Panther will start from scratch creating the glue-type bond an offensive line needs, but he knows what it's like to play in an offense with a very athletic quarterback. Williams played out of position last year on the left side and is two years removed from a knee injury, so this year is his time to shine.
The offensive lineman is considered a right guard or tackle. Williams has seen a lot of success at right tackle. In 2017, Williams started all 16 games at right tackle and earned second team All-Pro honors. That season Cam Newton rushed for 754 yards, scoring six touchdowns and averaging 5.4 yards per attempt. So Williams has a lot of experience protecting an athletic quarterback who likes to run the football. He will have to learn a new offense in Buffalo, but Josh Allen's style of play won't be anything new because of his time with Newton.
