Buffalo Bills Free Agency Position Preview: Offensive Line

One of the biggest areas of need for the Buffalo Bills, this offseason, is undoubtedly up front across the offensive line.

Josh Allen was hit many times last season, and general manager Brandon Beane knows it. He knows that cannot happen in 2023, at least not at the rate it did a season ago.

Going into the free agency period next month, the Bills are one of many teams over the cap. Beane is going to need to work some magic in order to open up some room and be able to fill some needs. There are a few cut candidates, but the Bills’ cap is so top-heavy that the options are somewhat limited.

Looking at the offensive line and its current state, let’s dive in before free agency begins next month.

The Buffalo Bills offensive line will probably look different after free agency comes and goes in 2023

Bills offensive linemen under contract for 2023:

OT Dion Dawkins

C Mitch Morse

OT Spencer Brown

G Ryan Bates

OT Tommy Doyle

C Greg Mancz

OT Ryan Van Demark

OT Alec Anderson

You’d like to think the Bills are locked and loaded at tackle and at least at one starting guard position. But, what about Mitch Morse? Buffalo could end up cutting him to save a little extra money. Or, maybe Brandon Beane uses a potential extension for Morse as another option to move money around and open up some cap space.

Bills free agent offensive linemen for 2023:

G Rodger Saffold

OT David Quessenberry

G Greg Van Roten

G Ike Boettger

G Bobby Hart

OT Justin Murray

Let’s focus primarily on guard Rodger Saffold, whom the Bills should absolutely, positively allow to leave. He was maybe the worst starting lineman for the Bills last year, and that would be putting it nicely. Saffold is getting up there in age and is also losing it on the field. He’s not the guy he once was, and Buffalo has to find a replacement this offseason. Could it come via free agency? There are certainly some options.

Best free agent offensive linemen available in 2023:

OT Orlando Brown

OT Mike McGlinchey

C Rodney Hudson

C Connor McGovern

G Justin Pugh

G Matt Pryor

G Isaac Seumalo

C Garrett Bradbury

OT Kaleb McGary

The list continues to go on and on with plenty of free agent offensive linemen, but Bills fans should be specifically looking on the interior. Again, the team could opt to cut Morse in order to save some money. If they do that, then replacing him via the draft makes the most sense. But, signing a free agent guard to replace Saffold should be a priority if they can’t replace him via the draft as well.

Not to beat a dead horse, but the Bills have some cap stuff to figure out. They’re going to have to get very creative this offseason, if they are wanting to sign any free agent of merit. Beane could very well figure out a way to navigate through the muck, but he’ll have to be skillful in doing so.