If there is one area on the field where you can never have too much depth in the NFL, it’s in the trenches on both the offensive and defensive line. When it comes to the offensive line specifically, there is a ton of pressure to protect the quarterback, open up running lanes for the ball carrier, and ultimately stay healthy to keep continuity upfront.
The Buffalo Bills have put an emphasis on not just competition in the trenches, but making sure that there is more than enough depth. In addition, they are always looking for versatility from their offensive linemen. Some definitely have it, but others have not been able to show it.
Heading into this season, the Bills have a left guard competition between Alec Anderson and Austin Corbett. While that is the most important spot to address on the offensive line for the team, there is also another competition that was brought on during free agency.
Bills' backup center position up for grabs
While Connor McGovern got his four-year extension back in March to continue being the team’s starting center, that meant that Sedrick Van Pran-Granger was solidified to be the team’s backup center moving forward. He was drafted in 2024, and there was a thought that he could be the team’s starting center if McGovern left in free agency.
Then the Bills went ahead and signed Lloyd Cushenberry who has been a starting center in this league for the Denver Broncos and Tennessee Titans. That addition made the Bills backup center position up for grabs and in ESPN’s Alaina Getzenberg’s latest Bills roster projection, Cushenberry gets the spot behind McGovern and Pran-Granger is on the outside looking in and not getting the chance to finish out his rookie deal.
Getzenberg has the Bills going with 9 offensive linemen that includes Cushenberry, and Tylan Grable who can provide depth at the tackle position.
"The Bills have shown just how they feel about Cushenberry, as he has taken over as first-team center in McGovern's absence because of a right leg injury. There is a tough decision to be made for the final spot. Sedrick Van Pran-Granger has an argument to be rostered, but the nod will go to Grable, who provides depth at tackle." said Getzenberg.
Sedrick Van Pran-Granger could be on Bills' roster bubble
Pran-Granger has only been in the league for two years and any hopes he had of starting in Buffalo may now be gone. Now you add in the factor of Cushenberry coming in and having a strong summer, there’s no sense in keeping Pran-Granger on the roster especially since someone like Alec Anderson also has experience playing center.
However, if the Bills are leaning towards keeping Cushenberry on the roster as the backup center, it would make sense for the Bills to try and trade Pran-Granger for a future late round pick. Since he is on a cheap rookie deal for the next two seasons, there could very well be a team that takes a chance on him.
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