Through an offseason of ebbs and flows, the Buffalo Bills come into the 2024 NFL season looking to find a renewed offensive charisma. In doing so, the Bills offensive line shouldn’t miss a beat.
In their 2023 campaign, they were one of the top offensive lines in the league—healthy, gritty, and consistent. The linchpin of that unit, and a cornerstone of the team's newfound winning culture, Mitch Morse, was released on March 6. His departure came as somewhat of a surprise; Morse played a pivotal role in Josh Allen’s development and served as an indomitable presence and leader in the Bills' offensive line room. While losing Morse will undoubtedly present some challenges for the new regime, all hope is not lost.
Enter Connor McGovern. The former Cowboy provided a reliable option at guard for the Bills, and with the center position now vacant, McGovern can seamlessly transition into that role which he’s been wanting his entire NFL career.
Turning to the tackle positions, this is now one of the most fortified groups in the league. Dion Dawkins has emerged as a true franchise tackle while Spencer Brown is poised to take another leap, potentially becoming one of the most sought-after right tackles in the league when his contract expires after this season.
However, it's not just Dawkins and Brown who can excel. The Bills also secured former-star tackle La’el Collins, who, when healthy, has proven to be a dependable option at right tackle. Collins signed a one-year, low-risk deal to compete for the starting right tackle spot with Spencer Brown. Competitions like these are vital for fostering consistency in the NFL week in and week out. While Brown is expected to retain the starting role, Collins' contract offers various compensation avenues based on availability and production.
As for the second-team tackle position, Ryan Van Demark appears to be a solid low-cost backup option. The Bills' good fortune with injuries limited our exposure to him, apart from his fill-in performance for Dawkins against the Dolphins in Week 18.
Returning to the interior of the Bills' offensive line, David Edwards and O’Cyrus Torrence are likely to hold down the starting guard positions. Despite an unproductive season for the Bills last year, Edwards was a reliable guard for the Rams during their championship run before his injury and now aims to resume a starting role in Buffalo. As for Torrence, his development has been impressive. Initially a guy I admittedly underestimated, he has shown promise as a long-term option and has absorbed knowledge since entering the league last year.
Alec Anderson and Will Clapp are expected to back up Edwards and Torrence, although undrafted free agent Keaton Bills from Utah could challenge for second-team reps. The experienced Ute fits the Bills' mold as a strong-handed, aggressive lineman capable of driving off the ball. Sedrick Van Pran from Georgia will back up McGovern at center as he acclimates to the league. If Van Pran is called upon to step into the game, there is confidence that he will perform admirably.
Simply put, despite the losses of the offseason, this offensive line group is one of which I have extremely high expectations. It’s a group that absolutely gives Josh Allen a chance at his first MVP season and the Bills a chance at a Super Bowl.
