Bills Elimination Game –Centers and Guards

History would say that 24 interior offensive linemen will be picked in the coming draft. Pick the Over for April 24-26, 2025; it’s a great class, so take one of each. Here’s a list of the Centers with a ScoutScore of 4 or more that I expect to be in play in the NFL Draft, excluding Preferred Free Agents:

Here’s a list of Guards with a ScoutScore of 4 or more that I expect to be in play in the NFL Draft, excluding Preferred Free Agents:

Brandon Beane’s scouts have focused on three conferences plus Grey Zabel and Jacob Bayer for their IOL. The level of competition is a very big reason, but also there might be a growing dissatisfaction with the Big 12’s offensive systems (almost all of the above run a version of the Spread or are Multiple), the travel time to the Mountain West and PAC-12, and the increasing availability of high-definition video on any candidate.

Some of the above players will be available after the draft as preferred frree agents. Let’s eliminate those, plus put the Guards and Centers together in draft order.

All of the Bills’ starters are big ‘uns, from 6-4 to 6-5, and weigh 306 pounds or more (C. McGovern= 6-5, 308, 5.19; D. Edwards, 6-6, 308, 5.28; Torrence=6-5, 330, 5.31; S. Brown=6-5, 315, 5.42; and Dawkins=6-4, 314, 5.11). That’s Kromer’s doing; he has an archetype size, and the Bills saw big lines dominate in the playoffs. So, let’s now eliminate the smaller (under 6-4) and lighter guys (under 307):

Donovan Jackson has such great play strength and active hands that I’ll leave him in for now. He’s also at the most-socuted school, Ohio State. I’ve also left in Dylan Fairchild, Sedrick VanPran’s left guard at Georgia. It’s worth noting that the less-often-scouted players are Right Guards (Connor Colby, Luke Kandra, Jonah Savaiinaea) and a wrestler who went to William and Mary (Charles Grant). Just saying, if Grant makes it to the Bills’ second RD4 pick, #131, he might be a Buffalo Bill, but the Right Guard position is pretty well cast in stone (O’Cyrus Torrence, Sedrick Van Pran-Granger) compared to the LG position (David Edwards, Richard Gouraige, La’el Collins gone, Keaton Bills gone). Let’s focus on those who are LG or versatile, and knock out RG-only players (Luke Kandra), bad interviews (Tate Ratlege) or character concerns (Clay Webb).

Before I eliminate Tyler Booker as the Prom Queen who simply wouldn’t return your phone calls, let me say that he’s my Pet Cat. In one of my favorite quotes so far in 2025, All-Access says Booker is “as feisty as a hippo and as wide as one”, and Booker allowed only one sack in his 3-year career, with only 4.5 pressures across 676 snaps, missing just 3 assignments. In a Brandon Beane-scouted game, Tyler earned SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week recognition for his play vs Ole Miss. Alas; he’ll be gone by #17.

I’ve sorted the results by weight, putting two LSU Tigers at the top. This is a good time to remind you about former LSU Offensive Assistant D.J. Mangas, the Bills’ Offensive Assistant and close friend of Bills O.C. Joe Brady, with the pair having been roommates/teammates at William and Mary. Brady brought Mangas on at LSU when he was hired as the Tigers’ OC in 2019, then did it again as the Panthers’ OC in 2020. So LSU is firmly in the Bills’ sights. By the way, the other LSU offensive lineman, Will Campbell, is a Top-Five guy in the draft.

Let’s eliminate some very good interior linemen as being too light at 307 (Jonah Monheim, Seth McLaughlin, the aforementioned Charles Grant, and Dylan Fairchild. I’ll keep the other wrestler, Joe Huber of Wisconsin, on the list:

Here are the 7 finalists in my Elimination Game, sorted by ScoutScore. I’ll say a few things about each.

Donovan Jackson LG Ohio State — Given Donovan Jackson’s profile and the Bills’ aspirations for a dominant offensive line, it’s somewhat plausible to see Beane targeting him if his options of McGovern/Gouraige seems too meager, or if Jackson’s talent is too substantial to pass on. Jackson is the yin to Torrence’s yang, fitting perfectly into the Bills’ vision of a powerful and athletic offensive front. Jackson currently has the 6th-fastest forty time among all IOLs. Notable are Jackson’s grip strength and work at the 2nd level, trademarks of the Bills’ O-Line techniques. Ric Serritella, the creator of NFL Draft Bible, says Jackson has an “elite combination of athleticism and play strength”. Given the Bills’ interest in the Buckeyes, it’s pretty likely the Bills draft an Ohio State player in RD2, but probably not at this position.

Jared Wilson, LG/C Georgia — When Sedrick VanPran-Granger was drafted by the Bills, Jared Wilson took his place. A redshirt junior in 2024, Wilson played in 13 of 14 games on the offensive line in 2023, where the Bills scouted him in the Auburn and Florida games. Jared was part of an offensive line that ranked first in the SEC and seventh nationally in sacks allowed (0.93), and second in the SEC in total offense (496.5), offensive passing efficiency (168.21), and scoring offense (40.1). Wilson is equally adept at pass and run-blocking, showing above-average skills at both. The most likely reason for Wilson dropping is that Wilson only started 11 games of his 33 games played due to VanPran-Granger staying at Georgia.

Jake Majors, C/OG Texas — Jake Majors, a fifth-year offensive lineman, demonstrated remarkable consistency and leadership with 57 games played and 56 starts (now that’s availability). He earned the prestigious title of Outland Trophy National Player of the Week and SEC Co-Offensive Lineman of the Week on September 9, following a significant road victory at Michigan. Majors was recognized as a semifinalist for both the Campbell Trophy and the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Award in 2024. A 2024 preseason watch list candidate for the Rimington Trophy, he was also a 2023 Joe Moore Award semifinalist. Known for his academic prowess, Majors has earned Academic All-Big 12 First Team honors three times from 2021 to 2023. In Majors, you have a versatile, smart, experienced Center who can play LG, and Connor McGovern + David Edwards are set to become free agents after next season. Oh, and he blocked for Doak Walker Award-winner, Bijan Robinson.

Miles Frazier, Swing Guard, LSU — Miles Frazier, a 2023 finalist for the Joe Moore Offensive Line of the Year Award and a Senior Bowl invitee, has been a stalwart on the Tigers’ offensive line with 37 starts in 39 games played, playing right guard (28), left guard (9) and right tackle (2). Entering his third season as a starter in 2024, Frazier joined LSU in 2022 after initially making a mark at Florida International. Over his two years at LSU, Frazier has been a key contributor on an offensive line that powered the Tigers to two of the most productive offensive seasons in school history. In 2023, the team led the nation in scoring (45.5 points per game) and total offense (543.5 yards per game), with Jayden Daniels winning the Heisman Trophy. Frazier has appeared in 55 games with 51 starts at LSU, rivaling Majors in consistency. His contributions have been instrumental in the success of the Tigers’ high-powered offense.

Garrett Dellinger, LG LSU — Garrett Dellinger, LSU’s starting Left Guard, has been a reliable presence for the Tigers over the past couple of years, with 40 games played and 29 starts. He is known for his exceptional pass blocking and versatility, capable of sliding into the Center position if needed. Dellinger ranks in the top 5 for 40-yard dash times in the IOL class and would be favored by Coach Kromer for his ability as a pulling lineman.

Grey Zabel, LG/RT North Dakota State — Grey Zabel had a standout performance at the Senior Bowl, per PFF. In 2023, Zabel started all 15 games on the offensive line, initially at LG before switching to RT, playing a total of 675 reps with a commendable 90% grade. Grey’s blocking was instrumental for an offense that led the nation in total rushing yards (3,560), rushing touchdowns (47), and offensive touchdowns (69). Additionally, the Bison excelled in passing efficiency, completion percentage, and red zone scoring. Zabel’s hands, and his particularly-effective snatch-traps,will get OL Coach Kromer excited. Zabel is an FCS Football Central All-American this year. If ND State tackle Cody Mauch can get drafted at RD2#48, Zabel at #42 is no stretch.

Joe Huber, C Wisconsin — Joe Huber was instrumental in Wisconsin’s leading the Big Ten in third-down conversions at 44.2%. Huber embodies Aaron Kromer’s ideal height, weight, and forty time. He has 37 starts an dplayed in 45 games. He made a significant impact at LG for the Badgers, playing 825 snaps, achieving a 76.2 PFF pass-blocking grade. In 2023, the high school wrestler impressively allowed zero sacks over 475 pressure opportunities. Huber contributed to a record-setting Wisconsin passing offense which set school records for attempts and completions with only five INTs, the second-fewest in program history. In the season opener hosting Buffalo, Huber helped the team rush for 314 yards, marking the Badgers’ 39th all-time 300+ yard rushing game.

Best Pass-blocker: Grey Zabel, Miles Frazier, then Jake Majors
Best Run-blocker: Grey Zabel, Donovan Jackson, then Majors/Huber (tie)
Most-Scouted: Donovan Jackson, Jared Wilson, Jake Majors
Most FBS Starts: Jake Majors, Miles Frazier, then Zabel/Huber (tie)
Will Be Fastest IOL at the Combine: Grey Zabel, Garrett Dellinger, Donovan Jackson
Biggest: Miles Frazier, Garrett Dellinger, Grey Zabel
Most Likely a Buffalo Bill in April: Jake Majors in RD4-5; then Garrett Dellinger in RD4; then Miles Frazier in RD6-7.

Editor’s babble: It doesn’t matter if the Bills’ OL is stacked. Always have to keep the cupboard full. Many thanks to Dean Kindig for his contributions to our blog. You can also find Dean on Xwitter @TCBILLS_Astro.