The Buffalo Bills first scheduled draft selection won’t occur until Day 2 of the 2020 NFL Draft, as the team picks at No. 54 overall.
Luckily, the Bills do not have a glaring need on their roster, making this year’s draft quite intriguing. Buffalo’s front office, led by general manager Brandon Beane, can go in a multitude of directions with the pick, leaving quite a bit of interest and uncertainty with whom the Bills could select.
This final installment of our position-by-position series looks at the offensive line prospects and which players could still be on the board when the Bills make their first selection at the upcoming draft:
Current roster
The Bills are returning their starting five offensive linemen from last year. This continuity is something of importance to the team’s front office, as they feel this will give the team an advantage in regard to improving again next season Center Mitch Morse, guard Quinton Spain, and tackle Cody Ford are all signed through the 2022 season.
Buffalo has two starters, tackle Dion Dawkins and guard Jon Feliciano, whose contracts expire at the end of next season. In addition, three possible reserves, Ty Nsekhe, Daryl Williams, and Ike Boettger have deals ending in 2021.
While it might not be a major need for this season, the Bills may look to the future and select a lineman who can grow into a starting job in 2021. It might be considered a reach for a second-round pick to be spent on a player who has a somewhat limited shot at starting in the future. However, no one can look into the crystal ball and predict the going rate for Dawkins and Felciano in free agency and how they could fit into the Bills salary cap situation. No one can predict if the Bills sees areas to improve upon in their current starting five, either. There’s always a chance the best player available could be an offensive lineman in Round 2.
Jonah Jackson | Ohio State
Jackson transferred from Rutgers and played his final season for the Buckeyes, starting 14 games at left guard. He was named a third-team Associated Press All-American and a first-team All-Big Ten player for his work during his 2019 campaign. He tends to be a bit stronger in pass protection. His run blocking was a bit inconsistent at times, but this is a trait that may be refined with a solid offensive line coach. He’s been placed between the second and fourth rounds of mock drafts, so it comes down to fit and able to develop at the next level. He’s experienced and has dealt with the best collegiate football has to offer, so it wouldn’t be surprising for him to be a long-term solution at an interior lineman position.
The main takeaway from this play? Justin Fields holding the ball too long and getting sacked.
But also look at Jonah Jackson deliver a hit on the defensive end mid-spin move. He likes to be a punisher.
What we can learn from 11 plays in Saturday's game: https://t.co/2FFjxxWOtb pic.twitter.com/EsWriUAa2I
— Colin Hass-Hill (@chasshill) September 10, 2019