I would love to hear as much conversation surrounding the offensive and defensive lines as we've heard surrounding wide-receivers and running-backs these last few years. There are so many nuances to having a great offensive line that simply do not get talked about enough. We want Josh to last? Best way to do that is build up the line, so he never has to worry about a PCL injury again. Wide-receivers having trouble getting open? Give them more time with competent blocking. Want less turnovers? Give Josh more time in the pocket, so he isn't forcing throws. Want a more dynamic playbook? Run the damn ball wall, and force the defensive coordinators into multiple looks. It's a modest investment that pays big dividends where a top-five wide-receiver gets you...
I'll be your huckleberry.
Offensive line play is serially underrated. A good offensive line can make somewhat ordinary offenses look extraordinary. Take a look at the Patriots from around 2007 onward. They spent a ton of organizational assets (draft picks, money) on the offensive line. They went away from Moss and Welker, choosing to use lower assets for receivers (Edelman, Chris Hogan, etc) and in many ways got better results.
I had a concept around 2010, which I wrote about on Buffalo Rumblings, called "super units." It was a grouping of personnel so dominant that they could alone change the game. I considered the Patriots offensive line a super unit. Teams just couldn't get to Brady, which allowed a relatively ordinary group of receivers to get open.
The Giants' defensive line at that time was also a super unit. They drafted edge over and over again, to a point where they could rush 4 really good ends on passing downs. That's what really tilted the Super Bowls in the Giants favor. They sped up Brady. One super unit beat another super unit.
For me, I'm always down for offensive line picks. LT seems obvious but with Allen RT is also a big spot. Allen really likes to run and also scramble right. If the OTs can take rushers wide, Allen can always go up the middle once the pass breaks down. If the RT can hold his own, then it opens up scrambling right.
In the next two years, I think the Bills need to draft a LT replacement and another high-end interior lineman. They also need to re-sign Brown. I think Torrence is a long-term asset, and I also think Van Pran-Granger slid about 2 rounds, so he's basically the equivalent of getting another 3rd round talent in the 2024 draft.
For defensive line, I think Beane needs another high-end pass rushers (my vote for the 2025 first round pick, and it's Jack Sawyer), and a NT/DT. Dontay Corleone would be a good fit. With Oliver and Rousseau in place, I think they have the basis of a good rotation. Carter will take passing down snaps, and I would not be surprised to see Solomon earn some time.
A very early swag at the 2025 draft, here's what I'd do (using PFF's board):
1st (requires a trade up): Jack Sawyer DE Ohio State
2nd: Dontay Corleone DT Cincinnati or OT
2nd (used in the trade up)
3rd: Nazir Stackhouse DT Georgia
4th: Bryce Foster IOL Texas A&M
That'd go a long way to solidify the lines going forward.