Buffalo Bills: Predicting the OL depth chart entering training camp

The Bills offensive line has had some injuries.Jg 112419 Bills 28
The Bills offensive line has had some injuries.Jg 112419 Bills 28 /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 4
Next
Sep 30, 2019; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Cincinnati Bengals offensive tackle Bobby Hart (68) lines up against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first quarter at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Philip G. Pavely-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 30, 2019; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Cincinnati Bengals offensive tackle Bobby Hart (68) lines up against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first quarter at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Philip G. Pavely-USA TODAY Sports /

2nd String LT: Bobby Hart

Bobby Hart was the starting right tackle in Cincinnati from 2018-2020. He was decent for the Bengals, but they chose to move on from Hart despite their messy offensive line situation. The Buffalo Bills reaped the benefits of that decision, signing Hart to a one-year, $1.1M deal in the offseason.

Hart brings high-quality depth to one of the best offensive lines in the NFL, ensuring that if Dion Dawkins or Daryl Williams go down, the machine keeps running smoothly. Hart is a very underrated signing for the Bills, and will likely be the first to have his name called if a tackle goes down.

2nd String LG: Ike Boettger

Ike Boettger did not play much in his first two seasons with the Bills; he played in just six games in 2018-2019. He got his opportunity when Cody Ford got hurt midway through the 2020 season, and he delivered.

Boettger played well for the Bills in Ford’s absence and turned out to be one of the more pleasant surprises for Buffalo in 2020. Boettger will likely have to earn the starting left guard spot back from Ford during training camp.

Bills fans should not be worried if Feliciano or Ford go down, because Boettger proved he could hang with the big boys last season, and is a quality offensive line depth piece for the Bills.

2nd String C: Jon Feliciano

As mentioned previously, Jon Feliciano is capable of filling in at center; he has done so several times when the situation called for it. Feliciano’s versatility allows the Bills to keep a roster spot open for an extra guard or tackle, and that is what makes him such a valuable player for the Buffalo Bills.

2nd String RG: Forrest Lamp

Fun fact: the Bills have the 38th overall draft picks from both the 2017 and 2019 NFL Drafts on their roster. Both of those selections were offensive linemen; Forrest Lamp (2017) and Cody Ford (2019).

Lamp was not picked by the Bills, however. He was picked by the Chargers. Lamp did not last very long in Los Angeles. Lamp struggled with the injury bug for a little while. He played in just nine games in his first two seasons before playing all 16 in 2020, leading the league in snaps played (1,174). He didn’t wow anybody in 2020, and he hopes to get a fresh start in Buffalo. He will have to work his way back into a starting job.

2nd String RT: Spencer Brown

Spencer Brown was the 93rd overall pick for the Buffalo Bills in the 2021 NFL Draft. The Northern Iowa product has a ton of upside as a long, athletic tackle who is a hard worker with great character.

Brown has almost everything that Sean McDermott loves in a player, and if his potential is reached, he will almost certainly be a fan favorite. Brown’s main concern is his durability. He has had multiple knee injuries already in his career. Brown is a talented player who will likely be a starter for the Bills in the future if he stays healthy. He will start 2021 as a backup tackle.