Former Cowboys center wins starting spot at LG

The Buffalo Bills will likely have a different starter at left guard in 2024, and my preliminary support goes to veteran La’el Collins.

Buffalo used a fifth-round pick on Georgia center Sedrick Van Pran-Granger, a potential future starter, and added more competition at the position by signing veteran Will Clapp. Even following these moves, signs point to starting left guard Connor McGovern moving to center and filling the void created by the departure of Mitch Morse.

McGovern has already worked on the relationship between the center quarterback and Josh Allen during OTAs.

“We get here, we’re two of the first guys here. We’re sitting in the training room, laying around, hanging out next to each other for 45 (minutes) to about an hour. I think part of it is ” Allen said after OTA practice last month at Orchard Park.

If McGovern makes a smooth transition, the Bills need to identify his replacement at left guard. This is where Collins comes into the equation.

The Bills, among other teams, reportedly kicked Collins last season, but felt he had not yet returned to form after suffering a torn ACL late in the 2022 campaign with the Bengals of Cincinnati.

Buffalo agreed to Collins’ terms two months ago, and I believe they did so with the intention of trying him at left guard — the position where he began his NFL career.

The 6-foot-4 Collins made 11 straight starts at left guard for the Dallas Cowboys in 2015. He held the starting job before the 2016 campaign, but lasted only three weeks before requiring foot surgery end of season. Upon his return in 2017, Collins moved to right tackle and started all 16 games that season.

It’s also worth mentioning that Collins already has a working relationship with McGovern dating back to their days as teammates in Dallas. If McGovern is at center, it makes sense to see if Collins can fill the void at left guard. If so, that allows Bills veteran David Edwards to maintain the role he has mastered in 2023.

Edwards was used as a sixth lineman on several occasions, providing additional juice to Buffalo’s rushing attack. It’s always a positive to have an entry-level backup like Edwards ready and available as an injury replacement as well.

Maybe Edwards will end up being the starter or Van Pran-Granger will pull off a feat by winning the starting center job, which would leave McGovern at left guard. Or maybe the Bills will have two former Cowboys on their interior offensive line in 2024.