91 Buffalo Bills Players in 91 Days: OL Mike Edwards

The Buffalo Bills like versatile offensive linemen. They also like players who are physical specimens, high-quality athletes whose measurable physical talents exceed the level of competition they faced in college. Given that the offensive line is in the business of protecting “the franchise,” this is a strategy that should work.

For the Bills and general manager Brandon Beane, building quality depth up front is a major concern. While some teams scour the waiver list for offensive line help in the offseason, Buffalo typically has enough linemen that they can trade players for draft capital in late August.

In today’s episode of “91 Players in 91 Days,” we profile a big, athletic left tackle with plenty of potential.

Mike Edwards

• Number: 75
• Position: OL
• Size weight: 1.95 m, 165 kg
• Age: 25 (26 on 10/11/2024)
• Experience/Draft: R; signed with Buffalo after the 2024 NFL Draft
• College: Campbell
• Acquired: Signature of the UDFA

Financial situation (according to Spotrac): Edwards signed a three-year contract with the Bills for a total of $2.843 million. Of that total, $13,000 is guaranteed as a signing bonus. That’s the total amount the Bills will have to take on as a salary cap hit if Edwards is released. If he rejoins the team, Edwards will have a salary cap hit of $799,333 for the season.

2023 Recap: Edwards started 10 games as the Campbell Fighting Camels’ starting left tackle last season. For his efforts, the big man was named to the All-CAA (Colonial Athletic Conference) first team just one year after being named to the All-Big South Conference first team. He is currently the only player in Campbell history to be named a two-time All-American. Edwards was also a Phil Steele first-team All-America selection heading into the season, and he was a preseason second-team All-American at Blue Bloods And Performance StatisticsHe finished the year on the 2024 Reese’s Senior Bowl watch list. He wasn’t invited to the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine, but with a seven-foot-plus wingspan, he has ridiculous length to go along with massive size.

Positional perspectives: Edwards is one of several offensive linemen on the roster, and while his college experience came at left tackle, that doesn’t mean the Bills won’t try him at fullback. Other linemen on the roster include Dion Dawkins, Spencer Brown, La’el Collins, Alec Anderson, Ryan Van Demark, Richard Gouraige, Dylan Grable, Travis Clayton, Sedrick Van Pran-Granger, Will Clapp, Connor McGovern, O’Cyrus Torrence, Keaton Bills, Kevin Jarvis, David Edwards and Gunner Britton.

Off-season 2024: Edwards is healthy and ready for training camp.

Outlook for the 2024 season: Edwards is highly unlikely to make the roster in 2024, but Buffalo is likely to want to keep him on its practice squad. Guys with that kind of size and strength don’t grow on trees, and if the Bills feel they can coach the kid through the season, they could have something here.

If they decide to move him to guard — something NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein considers a necessity — and Edwards responds well to the transition, the Bills will have exactly the kind of backup lineman they covet.