I've always been a proponent of selecting at least one offensive lineman in every NFL draft. This year is no different and it's a deep class too. To give you some idea of just how deep this class of offensive linemen is, according to NFLDraftbuzz.com, their top 14 ranked linemen are all projected to go in the first two rounds. Taking a look at Pro Football Focus, it's more of the same. They also have 14 linemen rated in the top 64 prospects.
Now, it's entirely possible we see fewer than 14 selected in those first two rounds but it's also possible we see more. For the Bills though, I don't see them going this direction in the first couple of rounds but I could see them dipping into the pool of linemen prospects in the later rounds. All the tackles I listed here are projected to go in the fourth round or later, except for one.
Buffalo is in a position where they need to start thinking about the future of the offensive line. Let's start with left tackle Dion Dawkins. He will be 30 by the time the new season starts and he's currently under contract through the 2026 season, when he'll be 32. I realize that's three years away, but you never know what will happen between now and then. It's better to have a plan in place before you have to have a plan in place. For example, remember what happened when both Eric Wood and Richie Incognito unexpectedly retired? The Bills line didn't recover from that, and it took more than a couple of seasons to field a decent line. Thus why I believe teams should always draft linemen in every draft. So, with that, here are five names at the NFL Combine to watch.