The Buffalo Bills have one of the league best offensive lines, and will return the same starting five for the second-consecutive season, a group anchored on the interior by Richie Incognito, Eric Wood, and youngster John Miller.
Here’s the interior offensive line installment of our Buffalo Bills 2017 roster evaluation series.
Depth Chart
Richie Incognito, Eric Wood, John Miller, Ryan Groy, Patrick Lewis, Vladimir Ducasse, Michael Ola, Cameron Jefferson, Jordan Mudge, Zach Voytek, Greg Pyke
Richie Incognito
Age: 34
PFF Grade: 87.2
PFF Ranking: 6th out of 72 offensive guards who played at least 200 snaps
Athletic Measurables
Height: 6032
Weight: 305
40-Yard Dash: 4.9
Broad Jump: N/A
Vertical: N/A
Three-Cone: N/A
Analysis: Incognito has been a rock for the Bills since re-joining the team in 2015. He wasn't as dominant last season as he was two years ago but much more often than not, he stymied pass-rushers and cleared the way for Buffalo's top-ranking rushing attack. The time off was likely good for him. He's super-strong, balanced, very aware, and "accurate" finding second and third level defenders on the move. Incognito is still a foundational player for Buffalo.
Eric Wood
Age: 31
PFF Grade: 71.2
PFF Ranking: 32nd out of 38 centers who played at least 350 snaps
Athletic Measurables
Analysis: Wood has been a fan favorite since the Bills drafted him in 2009, and since he made the switch from guard to center in 2011, he's been one of the better albeit unspectacular centers in the NFL with occasional stretches of underwhelming play. He's coming off a broken leg but should be ready for, at the very latest, the start of the regular season. Against power, Wood has had issues. On the move, he's tremendous. The latter bodes well for Wood in Rick Dennison's zone-blocking scheme.
John Miller
Age: 24
PFF Grade: 77.8
PFF Ranking: 29th out of 72 qualifying offensive guards
Athletic Measurables
Analysis: As a rookie in 2015, Miller was repeatedly overwhelmed by bigger, stronger defensive tackles and stunting defensive ends. Last year, Miller was noticeably more sturdy at the point of attack which allowed his mean streak to have more impact. He made a seismic jump from Year 1 to Year 2 and was incredibly consistent for the Bills at right guard. As a smaller interior lineman, Miller is nimble and now packs impressive power.
Ryan Groy
Age: 26
PFF Grade: 79.5
PFF Ranking: 23rd out of 38 qualifying centers
Athletic Measurables
Analysis: Groy seemed out of place at guard during training camp and the preseason but thrived as the anchor in the middle of Buffalo's offensive front after Wood went down with injury in November. At 6'5" and 320 pounds, Groy isn't exactly easy to move, and he possesses plenty of strength to deal with low-center-of-gravity bull-rushing defensive tackles. Though not primed for a starting position, Groy is a huge luxury as a backup lineman for Buffalo.
Patrick Lewis
Age: 26
PFF Grade: N/A
PFF Ranking: N/A
Athletic Measurables
Height: 6007
Weight: 311
40-Yard Dash: 5.28
Broad Jump: 96"
Vertical: 29"
Three-Cone: 8.01
Analysis: We don't know much about Lewis beyond his inclusion on a remarkably talented offensive line at Texas A&M. He's limited to playing center or any of the guard spots if needed.
Vladimir Ducasse
Age: 29
PFF Grade: 54.6
PFF Ranking: 59th out of 72 qualifying offensive guards
Athletic Measurables
Analysis: Ducasse was an early-round pick by the Jets during the Rex Ryan era in New York but ultimately flopped there. He spent the past three years on three different teams and has ties to Buffalo's offensive line coach Juan Castillo. The Bills will likely his versatility -- at 6'5" and 330 pounds, he can play any of the spots on Buffalo's offensive line.
Michael Ola
Age: 29
PFF Grade: N/A
PFF Ranking: N/A
Athletic Measurables
Height: 6024
Weight: 302
40-Yard Dash: 5.23
Broad Jump: 108"
Vertical: 29.5"
Three-Cone: 7.35
Analysis: Ola was sparingly used as one of the extra offensive linemen in jumbo formations a season ago. He needs to have a solid summer to stick on the Bills final roster for the regular season.
Cameron Jefferson
Age: 25
PFF Grade: N/A
PFF Ranking: N/A
Athletic Measurables
Height: 6047
Weight: 317
40-Yard Dash: 5.32
Broad Jump: 102"
Vertical: 24.5"
Three-Cone: 8.16
Analysis: Undrafted out of Arkansas in 2015, the 6'5", 317-pound Jefferson made stops with the Bears and Broncos before landing with the Bills.
Jordan Mudge
Age: 28
PFF Grade: N/A
PFF Ranking: N/A
Athletic Measurables
Height: 6041
Weight: 315
40-Yard Dash: 5.29
Broad Jump: 103"
Vertical: 27.5"
Three-Cone: 7.59
Analysis: Mudge went undrafted out of Nevada in 2012 and became a star offensive lineman in the Arena Football League — he won the Offensive Lineman of the Year in that league last season.