Pro Football Focus… Bills now have number 4 oline in the league

[78thealltimegreat]

The Top Ten for the entire season so far is 

1. The Philadelphia Eagles

2. The Detroit Lions

3. Baltimore Ravens 

4. Buffalo Bills

5. Atlanta Falcons

6. Dallas Cowboys

7. Denver Broncos

8. Indianapolis Colts

9. Minnesota Vikings

10. Las Vegas Raiders

 

This the highest the Bills have ever rated out for a season on oline since PFF started their grading system. I’m sure Josh being as elusive helps but an honorable mention and hats off to Aaron Kromer guy can definitely coach an oline. 

[RoyBatty is alive]

They have really played well together.   Demonstrates lack of injuries and what continuity on the line accomplished. Thank GOD we actually tried to upgrade the guard position, next year Center has to be a priority.  

Edited December 29, 2023 by RoyBatty is alive

[dma0034]

Credit Kromer and the the fact they've been healthy all year for this.

 

O'Cyrus Torrence has been great in Year 1

[strive_for_five_guy]

PFF is really top notch

[boyst]

Baltimores line is very good but Lamar does wonders to keep that pocket dynamic. The way the line and Lamar work together is incredible!

[Virgil]

39 minutes ago, strive_for_five_guy said:

PFF is really top notch

We’ve never said a bad word about them!  High class organization over there 

[LeGOATski]

41 minutes ago, strive_for_five_guy said:

PFF is really top notch

Hey buddy.....one man's trash is another man's treasure 

[PBF81]

They've been very very good this season! 

 

A huge part of that is the chemistry, both week-to-week as well as overall.  

 

If we look at the Snap Counts for the 5 starting OL-men, they're all above 96%.  Those are the top-5 snap counts on the team, offensively, defensively, STs, anything.  

 

It's remarkable that they've all stayed injury-free.  

 

 

[Augie]

19 minutes ago, boyst said:

Baltimores line is very good but Lamar does wonders to keep that pocket dynamic. The way the line and Lamar work together is incredible!

 

Lamar and Josh must be HUGE advantages when it comes to grading an OL. 

[MrEpsYtown]

Not a PFF guy, the fact that the Browns aren’t up there is ridiculous.
 

But, Connor McGovern has been the key in my opinion. I loved the pickup and felt there was untapped potential there and he has been a perfect fit on the left side. His presence also helps Dion to a certain degree. Dion is having an awesome year. I thought they would out him on the right side, I was wrong there and his left side movements are very natural. 
 

I was very much against the Torrence in the 1st round idea, but in the second it was a no brainer. I think he has played very well, obviously has had some ups and downs, but really can’t ask for more from a plug and play starter. 
 

Whipping boy Spencer Brown has been excellent as well. Having Torrence next to him helps, but man Brown has really come around. 
 

Morse is the anchor and playing well, his flaws in the power game are still the same, but the fact that he is probably our worst linemen at this point and his play hasn’t changed much just goes to how how much the players around him have improved. 

I certainly have to give Kromer credit as well. 

[Warcodered]

17 minutes ago, Augie said:

 

Lamar and Josh must be HUGE advantages when it comes to grading an OL. 

Right that last play against the Chargers much.

[ControllerOfPlanetX]

Numbers 5 and 7-10 means this does not correlate to well placed playoff position.

 

[Aussie Joe]

I was a big critic of Spencer Brown this last offseason … but he has been good this season and has justified Beane ‘s faith.

 

I thought for sure they would be looking at a Tackle early in the 2024 draft … but there is no urgency now …

 

Going to be interesting how the Tackle situation plays out beyond next season as both Dawkins and Brown are off contract …

 

I think Dawkins might have another 2-3 years left in him, and I assume he will give them a hometown discount …so hope he takes a 2 yr extension this offseason…

 

Hope Brown stays as well… as he probably hasn’t peaked yet…

 

What’s his price tag gunna be ? Will Mitch Morse money ($9-10m a year)  get it done? 

[Kwai San]

What the Bills need is an "identical" O'Cyrus type replacement for Center in this years draft.  Gonna be a hard pick @ 31.

 

Go Bills!!! 

[JakeFrommStateFarm]

So now we like PFF again ?

[oldmanfan]

Never place much stock in PFF.  My own eyes tell me our line’s been pretty good, especially in the run game.  Still some issues in pass protection but having Josh’s mobility helps there.

 

I’d continue to emphasize O line in the draft.  Build from inside out.  And Bates will take Morse’s spot next year for cap considerations.

[HappyDays]

1 hour ago, dma0034 said:

O'Cyrus Torrence has been great in Year 1

 

Not really. Good rookie year for sure but he's been our weak link IMO.

 

Here are the individual PFF grades for each member of the OL:

 

Dawkins 73.7

McGovern 58.9

Morse 64.5

Torrence 56.6

Brown 69.2

 

Very good on the edges, but slightly below average on the interior.

 

I think two things are helping our ranking here:

1) Continuity. I can't remember the last time the Bills had so many consecutive games with the same starting 5. IIRC McGovern missed the first game, but otherwise the starting 5 has never changed. That is massively important. I doubt more than a couple other teams have this advantage.

2) Relative lack of good OL play across the league. The individual rankings above don't scream "top 5 OL" but most teams have just average OLs right now. I doubt there is a ton of separation between say the 5th best OL and the 20th best OL, at least not enough to make a real difference. There are a couple extremes at both ends and then a lot of average in the middle.

[Captain_Quint]

Take the Eagles out and put the 49ers in that place and you have the 4 best teams in the league. 

1 hour ago, strive_for_five_guy said:

PFF is really top notch

Love those guys!! 

[Dr. Who]

43 minutes ago, MrEpsYtown said:

Not a PFF guy, the fact that the Browns aren’t up there is ridiculous.
 

But, Connor McGovern has been the key in my opinion. I loved the pickup and felt there was untapped potential there and he has been a perfect fit on the left side. His presence also helps Dion to a certain degree. Dion is having an awesome year. I thought they would out him on the right side, I was wrong there and his left side movements are very natural. 
 

I was very much against the Torrence in the 1st round idea, but in the second it was a no brainer. I think he has played very well, obviously has had some ups and downs, but really can’t ask for more from a plug and play starter. 
 

Whipping boy Spencer Brown has been excellent as well. Having Torrence next to him helps, but man Brown has really come around. 
 

Morse is the anchor and playing well, his flaws in the power game are still the same, but the fact that he is probably our worst linemen at this point and his play hasn’t changed much just goes to how how much the players around him have improved. 

I certainly have to give Kromer credit as well. 

You're one of the fellas I look to for insight on the o-line. Thanks for this.

[billsfan89]

In addition to the obvious upgrades at guard the complete turn around of Brown has massively helped. Brown was one of the worst tackles in the league last year. This season after a shaky start he has become a good RT. Dawkins has also turned in a much better season. Mitch has also been Mitch and that’s a good thing in terms of quality of play.