Bills offensive line ranked among NFL’s best for 2024 season

The Buffalo Bills have long had the makings of a solid offensive line; Flanked by a multi-Pro Bowler in Dion Dawkins, the team has long had talent throughout the unit, but has never been able to consistently come together to generate consistent success. That changed in the 2023 season, as the unit – in its second year under renowned offensive line coach Aaron Kromer – was strong in both pass and run protection; the team finished sixth in the NFL in pass win rate and seventh in pass win rate, according to ESPN, with running back James Cook becoming Buffalo’s first running back since the 2017 NFL season to exceed 1,000 rushing yards in a single season (1,122).

The Bills made changes to their line during the 2024 offseason, releasing stalwart center Mitch Morse to free up financial flexibility. The team plans to fill the void left by the 32-year-old by sliding Connor McGovern (who started 17 games for Buffalo at left guard last season) to center, a transition the versatile lineman relishes. The left guard position will be filled by either David Edwards, a Super Bowl winner who spent the 2023 season as a depth lineman in Buffalo, or La’el Collins, a free agent signing who is coming off a loss. significant ACL and MCL injuries; Edwards is the early favorite to win the job.

Regardless of how the line ultimately performs, the unit should be solid again in the 2024 season, given overall continuity and Kromer’s presence. This idea was reflected in Pro Football Focus’ recent NFL offensive line rankings; reporter Zoltan Buday identified Buffalo’s unit as the eighth best in the league, providing confidence in the team’s post-Morse succession plans.

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“Right tackle Spencer Brown went from PFF’s 73rd overall offensive tackle to the 32nd-best grade in 2023, taking this offensive line to a new level,” Buday wrote. “However, we have yet to see how well the interior can hold up after the departure of center Mitch Morse. The Bills will move Connor McGovern from guard to center and introduce David Edwards, who primarily played as a sixth offensive lineman in 2023, into the starting lineup.

PFF ranks Buffalo’s offensive line as the fifth-strongest in the AFC and second-strongest in the AFC East (behind the New York Jets, who rank fifth overall).

Even though they’re coming off an already solid season, there’s reason to believe the Bills’ line could be even. better in the 2024 campaign than he was in 2023. Morse is a notable omission, but McGovern seems a more than suitable replacement, even describing center as his “natural position.” Brown is entering the final year of his rookie contract and is a pending unrestricted free agent – ​​which typically prompts professional athletes to play hard. Dawkins is a three-time Pro Bowler while O’Cyrus Torrence, who flashed as a rookie, should further improve in his sophomore campaign; the biggest question mark is at left guard, where Buffalo has a host of solid options if Edwards’ scheme proves unsuitable.

Eighth place seems like a generally sensible ranking for the Bills offensive line at this point, but don’t be surprised if the team is ranked higher in future versions of the list.

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