The Buffalo Bills drafted offensive guard O'Cyrus Torrence to be a long-term building block with the No. 60 overall selection in the 2023 NFL Draft. Torrence became an immediate starter on a Super Bowl contender and in year two, a breakout season is now on the horizon.
Torrence entered last year's training camp and preseason in competition with Ryan Bates to start at right guard. Torrence outright won the position battle. Earlier this offseason, Bates was traded to the Chicago Bears. It was yet another vote of confidence for Buffalo's young blocker.
Torrence immediately hit the ground running. He enjoyed a solid debut in Week 1 versus the New York Jets with Pro Football Focus crediting him with allowing just three pressures. Torrence wasn't assigned blame for allowing a sack until Week 7.
O'Cyrus Torrence and Spencer Brown get 10 yards of movement on Mazi Smith pic.twitter.com/6zDYSVxaoC
— Josh Norris (@JoshNorris) December 19, 2023
Some late-season struggles indicated Torrence was still growing as a rookie. A rematch with the Jets' deep defensive line in Week 11 led to five pressures and a 12.1 pass-blocking grade. He also struggled versus the Miami Dolphins in Week 18 and the Pittsburgh Steelers in the wild-card round, allowing six and four pressures respectively.
All in all, Torrence played a team-high 1,164 snaps—every single offensive snap during Buffalo's season. Torrence was credited with allowing three sacks and 40 pressures. Discipline was occasionally a problem with him being whistled for six penalties, 10th-most among all qualifying guards.
Generally speaking, athletic NFL defensive tackles didn't give Torrence too many fits in pass protection. The former Florida standout was also extremely physical as a run blocker. The Bills exited his rookie season pleased with his performance and excited about the potential.
Torrence possesses the tools required to improve as a sophomore. Athleticism and physicality aren't issues. A year of NFL experience under his belt should lead to a more technically advanced, disciplined version of Torrence.
General manager Brandon Beane has made some changes around Torrence. Last year's starting center, Mitch Morse, was released from his contract earlier this offseason. Connor McGovern, who played left guard last season, is shifting to center.
Replacing McGovern at left guard is David Edwards. A 2019 fifth-rounder of the Los Angeles Rams, Edwards joined the Bills ahead of last season as a reserve lineman. He signed a two-year extension in March and is being promoted to starter.
Franchise quarterback Josh Allen will be thrilled with the continuity Torrence and the starting tackles (Dion Dawkins and Spencer Brown) offer him. There have been pretty big changes to the pass-catching personnel. Both Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis are gone. The Bills are counting on steps forward from Khalil Shakir and Dalton Kincaid, and hope that second-round rookie Keon Coleman is ready to immediately contribute. Ascending running back James Cook, who rushed for 1,122 yards last season, should help offset some of the departures.
Torrence performed like a starting-caliber guard throughout his rookie campaign. The versatile blocker hit the infamous rookie late wall in the season, but the sky remains the limit. Torrence is well-positioned to enjoy a breakout season as a sophomore.
