Bills starting center Mitch Morse turns 31 later this month and was a possible cap casualty early in the offseason. Buffalo has kept him around, though, for now. Next year, Morse could be cut and save the team roughly $8 million in doing so. That seems like an obvious move for a team that will continue to be cash-strapped due to a top-heavy roster.
In the second round, Buffalo drafts a Morse replacement, and potentially someone who could compete at guard with Ryan Bates.
Anytime you draft an offensive lineman from Wisconsin, you have a chance at a long-term starter in the NFL. Joe Tippmann comes in as one of the better interior linemen in this draft class, and offers the Bills some breathing room in terms of depth as a rookie. But, going forward, this is the Bills’ starting center in 2024 and beyond.
There isn’t a lot to dislike about Tippmann. He is huge for an interior lineman, standing 6-foot-6 and weighing 313lbs. Scouts say he’s a weight room warrior with tremendous strength, allowing him to bulldoze in the run game. He’s also got a thick anchor for pass blocking.
For a man of his size and strength, Tippmann is more athletic than you’d originally assume. Again, this is a no-brainer type of pick in the second round and puts the line in great shape going into the future.