The Buffalo Bills have seen a few significant changes to their offensive line so far this offseason, losing David Edwards to free agency and adding a veteran replacement.
The shifting could increase the pressure on veteran Alec Anderson, with one analyst suggesting the versatile lineman will need to fight for his job after the team made some additions in free agency.
SI.com analyst Ralph Ventre noted that Anderson appeared to be in line for a starting job after the team decided not to bring back Edwards, but that smooth path became more difficult with one of the team’s biggest free agency signings.
“As it turns out, however, the Bills’ early decision to retain Anderson was, by no means, a commitment to starting him at left guard, a role that was vacated by Edwards leaving for a four-year contract from the New Orleans Saints,” Ventre wrote.
“Adding another option to the mix, Buffalo signed grizzled veteran Austin Corbett to a one-year contract. His credentials, which include 78 career starts, make him a viable possibility to replace Edwards in the starting lineup.”
As Ventre noted, Bills general manager Brandon Beane already laid out the plan to hold an open competition at the position, noting that Anderson has nothing guaranteed.
“I think there’s gonna be a good competition at left guard. I wouldn’t want to give that to him [Anderson] or anyone else,” Beane said.
Even More Competition Coming for the Bills
The Bills might not be done addition competition for the guard position. Alec Elijah of Pro Football Sports Network predicted that the Bills would use their first-round draft pick on Penn State guard Olaivavega Ioane.
Elijah believes the Bills will subscribe to the simple approach of grabbing the best available value, which could mean Ioane adding more competition for Anderson.
“With the board falling the way it has, the Buffalo Bills could take a straightforward approach and lock in the top guard available, Penn State’s Olaivavega Ioane,” Elijah wrote. “A true tone-setter in the trenches, Ioane brings a physical, mauling presence that immediately elevates an offensive line.”
Elijah added that Ioane has shown a balance of pass and run protection strenghts, which could be a boon to the Bills as they aim to establish a more well-rounded offense.
“He thrives on moving defenders off the ball in the run game, while also showing the balance and technique needed to hold up in pass protection,” Elijah wrote. “This feels like a plug-and-play addition that raises the floor of the entire unit from Day 1. For a Bills team with championship aspirations, adding a reliable interior presence like Ioane could be a quietly impactful move that pays off in a big way.”
It’s not clear if the Bills would go that direction, even if Ioane is the best player left on the board when their pick is called. The team has some holes across the roster, especially at linebacker and defensive line, as well as wide receiver. Some other analysts have suggested the Bills could trade back if they don’t have a strong positional fit, adding more draft picks.
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