Pro Football Rumors
The Bills have enjoyed good health along their offensive line over the past two seasons, largely using the same unit during that span. Mitch Morse‘s March 2024 exit represented a change, but David Edwards filled the void (as Connor McGovern shifted to center). Buffalo is returning the same starting five O-linemen from last season.
As the Bills have assembled one of the NFL’s top O-lines, they have prioritized their swingmen as well. The team will return Alec Anderson, who operated as a frequent sixth O-lineman (291 offensive snaps) despite having spent his first two NFL seasons without playing a down. As Anderson became a recurring character up front, the Bills also extended Ryan Van Demark shortly after their AFC championship game loss.
Van Demark received a one-year add-on, though that early move effectively bought out an ERFA year. He will only be a restricted free agent in 2026. But Van Demark’s spot with the Bills appears vulnerable, as The Athletic’s Joe Buscaglia’s roster projection leaves him off the final 53. The former Colts UDFA’s issues at right tackle have largely made the fourth-year blocker a one-position backup, Buscaglia adds, leaving him at risk of being usurped by someone with more versatility.
Van Demark did log more time at RT than LT in 2024, playing 154 snaps on the right side and 43 at the other O-line edge post. The Bills also drafted Chase Lundt in the sixth round this year and Tylan Grable in the 2024 sixth round. All 74 of Grable’s rookie-year snaps came at left tackle. A UConn alum, Lundt will turn 25 as a rookie. He also does not, in terms of game action, bring much positional flex. The Huskies used Lundt as their RT starter in four seasons, providing extensive experience ahead of a training camp battle with a (slightly) older performer.
The Bills are in the unusual position of not only returning all five O-line starters, but having two swing tackles in place for an extended run. Van Demark, 27, arrived as a practice squad presence in September 2022; he joined Anderson on that 16-man unit. Van Demark beat out David Quessenberry for Buffalo’s OT3 job in 2023, and played ahead of Anderson that year. Both have been developed in the Bills’ system, creating extreme tackle continuity for a team that has also extended starters Dion Dawkins (twice) and Spencer Brown. Lundt’s arrival, though, may bring change. While Anderson is considered a roster lock (per Buscaglia), Van Demark will be in for a camp battle.
