Ryan Van Demark signing with the Minnesota Vikings last month forced the Buffalo Bills to form a new plan at offensive tackle.
Dion Dawkins and Spencer Brown are the Bills' left and right tackles, respectively, but there's little experience behind them with Van Demark gone.
Utah offensive lineman Spencer Fano is considered one of the best prospects in the draft.
Michael Conroy, Associated Press
How high would the Bills select an offensive tackle? Definitely not in Round 1. Selecting one on Day 2 also seems unlikely since Buffalo has more needs on defense and may prioritize a left guard with David Edwards gone. Don't be surprised, however, if general manager and president of football operations Brandon Beane selects a tackle on Day 3.
The Bills trust their coaching staff to develop a raw prospect into a contributor. Aaron Kromer, their offensive line coach, is gone, but his replacement, Pat Meyer, had success turning prospects into starters over his four seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Bills' need ranking: 3/10. Van Demark's departure leaves Tylan Grable and Chase Lundt as the primary backups at offensive tackle, especially if Alec Anderson wins the job to start at left guard. The Bills also need to plan for the future, as Dawkins turns 32 later this month. If a tackle the team likes isn't available in the middle or late rounds of the draft, then Buffalo will sign a free agent.
Best in class: Francis Mauigoa from Miami is widely considered the best offensive tackle in this class, but how high should an NFL team select someone who may play right tackle at the next level? It's the debate you'll hear before and during the first round because right tackle isn't typically a position you'd take in the top 5. The Arizona Cardinals, who are picking third overall, need help at tackle and may have the option to trade back. Mauigoa was a three-year starter for the Hurricanes and a consensus All-American in 2025. Nobody will care if he was selected if he becomes a long-term bookend.
Some draft analysts consider Utah's Spencer Fano as the best tackle in this class. Fano, 21, started three seasons at right tackle for the Utes, and he became the first player in program history to win the Outland Trophy for best offensive lineman in college football. There is some talk, however, of Fano moving to guard. He also started 11 games at left tackle in 2023, so a team may draft Fano and plan to figure out his spot later.
Realistic targets
Drew Shelton, Penn State: The two-year starter allowed just one sack in 2025 and, like tackles drafted by the Bills in past years, has the athleticism to contribute as a swing tackle early in his NFL career. Shelton is a disciplined player (one penalty in 2025) who's durable (29 straight games at left tackle), but he never played right tackle with the Nittany Lions, and play strength is an area that must improve.Dametrious Crownover, Texas A&M: A converted tight end who started the final 27 games of his career at right tackle. Crownover is massive (6-foot-7, 319) with an 86-inch wing span and experience in a zone running scheme, but he'll need time to develop into an NFL player. He committed 11 penalties in 2025, and he's an older prospect (turns 25 in September).
Isaiah World, Oregon: The four-year starter will likely need to sit out the 2026 season because of a torn ACL, but he has the tools to be a worthwhile investment. World started 49 games across four seasons, with nine at right tackle and 40 at left tackle. Excelled in the Big Ten after transferring from Nevada, but he's also raw. World spent more time on defense in high school and must work on his technique, as illustrated by the five holding penalties he took as a senior.
Enrique Cruz Jr., Kansas: Transferred from Syracuse to Kansas in 2025 because he lost his starting job with the Orange, and former University at Buffalo coach Lance Leipold provided Cruz with an opportunity to move back to right tackle. With the Jayhawks, Cruz earned All-Big 12 honors and an invite to the combine. He had some excellent moments as a left tackle at Syracuse, so NFL teams will be intrigued by his versatility. Projects as a late-round flier who could develop into a swing tackle and, eventually, a starter.
J.C. Davis, Illinois: The Bills have a connection to Davis through their new defensive line coach Terrance Jamison, who came to Buffalo this offseason from Illinois. Davis started 49 consecutive games to finish his college career, which began at a junior college and continued to New Mexico before he landed in the Big Ten. Davis allowed a sack in just three of his 25 starts with the Illini. He's an experienced left tackle who may get moved to guard in the NFL. Versatility is a trait the Bills covet on the offensive line.
Aamil Wagner, Notre Dame: Wagner started each of the Fighting Irish's 28 games over the past two seasons. He only played right tackle, but he was a team captain and showed that he has the competitiveness to excel at the next level if he irons out the wrinkles in his technique.
Sleeper
Diego Pounds, Ole Miss: Pounds played at least 750 snaps at left tackle in each of the past three seasons, beginning at North Carolina. He was not credited with a sack allowed in 2025, according to Pro Football Focus, and the power he showed on the bench press (21 reps of 225 pounds) translates to the field. The Bills may prefer someone who's played left and right tackle, but Pounds is the type of late-round prospect with traits and upside who they typically like to add in the draft. Pounds is expected to be taken in the fourth or fifth round.Top 10
Rk.;Player, school;Ht.;Wt.1.;Francis Mauigoa, Miami;6-5;329
2.;Spencer Fano, Utah;6-5;311
3.;Monroe Freeling, Georgia;6-7;315
4.;Caleb Lomu, Utah;6-6;313
5.;Max Iheanachor, Arizona;6-6;321
6.;Kadyn Proctor, Alabama;6-7;352
7.;Blake Miller, Clemson;6-7;317
8.;Caleb Tiernan, Northwestern;6-8;323
9. Travis Burke, Memphis;6-9;325
10. Markel Bell, Miami;6-9;346