The Bills had one of their best and most consistent offensive line units in recent memory during the 2023 season, but the departure of longtime center Mitch Morse leaves questions in the heart of a group charged with protecting Josh Allen.

The club saw LT Dion Dawkins, LG Connor McGovern, C Morse, RG O’Cyrus Torrence, and RT Spencer Brown start every game throughout the season. The fact they were able to stay healthy created continuity and helped greatly in their success. That group gave up the fewest sacks (12) in the NFL in 2023. Pro Football Focus rated them as the sixth-best unit for the year. 

However, the club decided to release Morse in a cost-cutting move to jettison a player that had been a stalwart as the man snapping the ball to Allen. They also traded former backup center Ryan Bates to the Chicago Bears. 

The plan now appears to be to slide McGovern from guard to center, with David Edwards a leading candidate to take over at left guard. McGovern was solid in his first season with the Bills after coming over as a free agent from the Dallas Cowboys. While he has not played much center in the NFL, he did play the position in college at Penn State and believes that it is his natural spot. It’s a critical position for variety of reasons — from the most basic of handling snapping the ball how Allen prefers — to helping set protection schemes up front. HIs ability to transition back home to center will be a key development to follow throughout training camp, the preseason, and into the regular season.

The Bills did draft a player with plenty of experience at center should McGovern falter - rookie Sedrick Van Pran Granger, a three-year starter at the University of Georgia, where he won two national championships. He was a finalist for the Rimington Trophy as the nation’s top collegiate center in 2023. The Bills believe he has the ability to play center or guard in the NFL, so that versatility could allow him to compete for playing time at either spot. 

Edwards spent last season as a top interior backup and has a chance to start at guard for the Bills this season. He was a starter for the Los Angeles Rams when they won the Super Bowl LVI, and has a history of working with current Bills OL coach Aaron Kromer. 

At tackle, the Pro Bowler Dawkins had perhaps his best season in a stellar career and returns for his 8th campaign. Spencer Brown, who had a bounce back year at right tackle after dealing with a host of injuries, is entering the final year of his contract, so this is an important year for both him and the organization. Veteran La’El Collins was brought in to compete and could serve as a backup to begin the summer. 

Torrence heads into his second season at right guard after starting every game as a rookie. Look for him to continue his development as a solid starter. The club also likes some young depth pieces in Ryan Van Demark and Alec Anderson.

Keeping Allen upright and healthy, along with opening up holes for an improved running game led by James Cook, will again be key for the Bills’ offensive fortunes in 2024.