LT: Dion Dawkins, LG: Rodger Saffold, C: Mitch Morse, RG: Ryan Bates, RT: Spencer Brown
At number three are the Buffalo Bills with a relatively unchanged offensive line but there are reasons to be optimistic about improvements from last year. The good news for the Bills is they have Dion Dawkins returning at left tackle, a spot he has had for the past five years and earned his first Pro Bowl nomination last season.
In addition, Mitch Morse is an excellent pass blocking center and is a great veteran presence on the offensive line. He is joined by veteran Rodger Saffold who the Bills signed this offseason and who is coming off his first career Pro Bowl.
The area for the biggest potential improvement is on the right side with Ryan Bates and Spencer Brown at right guard and right tackle respectively. Bates didn’t get a chance to start until late in the season but once he was in that role, the offensive line played much better.
While it was a small sample size, the Bills’ front office saw enough to match the Chicago Bears’ four-year offer this offseason.
As for Spencer Brown, he was considered a bit of a project when the Bills drafted him in the third round of last year’s NFL Draft. However, he showed enough to be the starter by Week 4 and remained in that role the remainder of the year.
With a year of experience, Brown could be in a position to take that next step and solidify the position.