Buffalo Bills top-5 best moves of the 2019 off-season
By Avery Duncan
No. 4 Signing Mitch Morse
Along with receivers, the Bills had to acquire talented offensive linemen to protect Josh Allen’s future. Throughout the off-season, they signed Quinton Spain, Spencer Long, Ty Nsekhe, and La’Adrian Waddle; but no veteran acquisition is as impactful as the addition of center Mitch Morse.
The Bills handed Morse the largest contract for a center ever at four-years, $44.5 million, but the cause was just. The loss of former long-time starting center Eric Wood was all too apparent for the Bills in 2018. The team rotated through two players at the position to replace him: Russell Bodine and Ryan Groy, but neither provided sufficient play or consistency.
Morse should be able to fill the Bills’ center vacancy well. A four-year starter for the contending Chiefs, Morse proved to be one of the best at the position protecting the likes of Alex Smith and Patrick Mahomes. Pro Football Focus graded his 2018 season at a 69.5, ranking him as the 13th best in the NFL — his 81.2 pass-block grade ranks at seventh.
Though Morse won’t be a mauling center for the Bills, his pass protection is a godsend. His experience should aid the team in recognizing defensive line patterns and making blocking adjustments while his game will help keep Allen’s jersey clean. Considering that the Bills appear to be all-in on their second-year quarterback, no price is too high to protect him.