Taking a closer look at the Buffalo Bills’ Offensive Line
By Cole Shelton
The Buffalo Bills have all five starters returning to the team this season, although one of them will be fighting for a spot.
Now, on to the trenches with a thankless position, but thanks to these people it keeps the offense rolling. The Buffalo Bills offensive line will be the same for the most part this season, with rookie Dion Dawkins fighting for a starting role.
Let’s take a look at the offensive line as it stands today.
Offensive lineman currently on the roster
- Cordy Glenn
- Richie Incognito
- Eric Wood
- John Miller
- Dion Dawkins
- Vladimir Ducasse
- Ryan Groy
- Jordan Mills
- Seantrel Henderson
- Cyrus Koundajio
- Michael Ola
(Not included are players most likely to be cut and are ‘camp bodies’.)
Cordy Glenn
Starting on the left side of the line, Cordy is a player that has stabilized it for years. Glenn will return to the Bills and look to re-gain his pro bowl form. If Glenn can stay healthy and be the player everyone knows he can, Tyrod Taylor will be one happy man.
The key to every NFL team’s offense is the offensive line and Glenn is arguably the anchor on the Bills’ line.
Cordy Glenn Role: Starting Left Tackle
Richie Incognito
Remember when Rex Ryan said the Buffalo Bills were going to build a bully. Yeah, and what came with that was the signing of Richie Incognito. But, it was with a lot of disappointment and anger as Incognito was a bully in the locker room in Miami, and resulted in Incognito being out of the league.
Now, fast forward a couple years and Incognito is now one of the best lineman in the NFL. And, him and Glenn will stabilize the left side of the line once again to keep Tyrod up, as well as open holes for McCoy.
Richie Incognito Role: Starting Left Guard
Eric Wood
The starting center and fan favorite Eric Wood will be returning for another year to anchor the line. Wood is coming off a season-ending injury (broken leg) so it will be interesting to see if he can bounce back.
If he can’t, Ryan Groy was brought back and could come in and start some games at center. But for now, the Bills have to be pleased that all the starters from last season are returning.
Eric Wood Role: Starting Center
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John Miller
Miller, like the other three already named, will be returning to start on the line for the Bills. Miller will now be entering his 3rd NFL season and has started every game in which he has played, including all 16 last season.
Miller will continue to be a big part of the run game — opening holes for McCoy.
John Miller Role: Starting Right Guard
Dion Dawkins
Ah, the rookie the Bills traded back into the second round to select. You have to think, if the Buffalo Bills traded up to get him, they want him to start. It makes sense, especially after the revolving door at right tackle the past couple years.
Dawkins will have to prove in training camp he can play right tackle to win the starting job.
Dion Dawkins Role: Starting Right Tackle
Vladimir Ducasse
Ducasse is an experience offensive lineman, who signed as a free agent with the Bills this off-season. Ducasse will come into Buffalo being the 6th or 7th man on the depth chart and being a swing offensive lineman, who can play many positions.
Vladimir Ducasse Role: Swing Lineman
Ryan Groy
Many Bills’ fans were glad that they matched Ryan Groy’s contract, especially with the uncertainty of Woods’ health, coming off a broken leg. Groy, like Ducasse, is a swing man and can play multiple positions on the line, but center is arguably the one he is best at.
Ryan Groy Role: 6th Lineman/Swing
Jordan Mills
The starting right tackle took a lot of heat from Buffalo Bills fans last season. The right tackle position has been a revolving door for some while and now Mills is in a tight competition with rookie Dion Dawkins for the job.
Jordan Mills Role: Backup Right Tackle
Seantrel Henderson
Seantrel Henderson’s role on this team is unknown. He will be on the suspended list for using medical marijuana for his Crohn’s disease. After that, it will be interesting to see what the Bills do with Henderson.
Seantrel Henderson Role: Unknown
Cyrus Koundajio
Koundajio was part of a weird story this off-season, as he wasn’t fully clothed and begged police to shoot him. Koundajio will come into camp and most likely become a backup offensive lineman at the tackle positions, and perhaps right guard as well.
Cyrus Koundajio Role: Depth Lineman
Michael Ola
Ola has spent the majority of his career on practice rosters and bouncing around from team to team. Ola will be in battle to make this roster as a depth/backup lineman, but it could come down to what the Bills decide to do with Henderson.
Michael Ola Role: Depth Lineman or Cut
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What do you think of the Buffalo Bills‘ offensive lineman this season? Leave your thoughts below!