The Buffalo Bills enter this season with the hopes of winning their first Super Bowl title in franchise history. They already have the star players in Josh Allen, James Cook, and D.J. Moore to be a contender.
To be a championship football team, however, they will need two diamond-in-the-rough players to stand out and exceed preseason expectations, and break out in the 2026 NFL season.
One hidden gem the Bills may have this season is a tough and nasty offensive lineman who will need to thrive and be a machine at left guard. The other player is a misused speed edge rusher who may finally get the chance to show his true talent in Jim Leonhard's 3-4 aggressive scheme.
Let's take a look at two pivotal gems the Bills must unleash and let them dominate in the 2026 season.
Two protected gems that can help the Bills dominate in 2026
1.) OL Alec Anderson
With the hole left at left guard following the loss of David Edwards in free agency, Alec Anderson currently is in the lead to replace him on opening day. The 6-foot-5, 305-pound mauler is a throwback lineman who is a motivational leader and plays with the heart and nastiness.
He also has the capability and range that the Bills look for in their run schemes and rushing attacks.
For Anderson, he understands that protecting Allen from being sacked is non-negotiable, as Allen was sacked 40 times. If Anderson's goal is to earn a long-term deal as the Bills' starting left guard, he will have to show that he can protect Allen and give him time to throw in the intermediate passing game.
2. ) OLB Javon Solomon
With the hiring of Jim Leonhard as the Bills' new defensive coordinator, it brings a huge change in scheme for the Bills' defense. His aggressive 3-4 multiple scheme relies on player movement, changing up fronts, and displaying different formations with their base 3-4 package.
No candidate on the Bills' roster fits this type of defensive philosophy better than Javon Solomon. In this defense, players will move from position to position and apply pressure from all sides.
At 6-foot-1, 246 pounds, Solomon fits better in the 3-4 aggressive scheme because he is a speed rusher, who changes direction rather than a power rusher who runs straight towards the quarterback.
In the past, the Bills' pass rush was wildly consistently overwhelming opposing offenses last season. They were only middle-of-the-road in multiple pressure statistics. Leonhard's scheme is about disguising different looks on the defense to confuse the protection on the O-line and create sacks.
Solomon may be the player this defense needs to elevate it from mediocrity to elite status.
While the Bills have many elite players, now is the time for the team to let some of the lesser-known players take charge and help them reach the next level.
Anderson can help the offense protect its most valuable player, while Solomon can support Leonard's 3-4 defense.
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