Key Buffalo Bills player ‘underrated’ not in top 10 at his position

A year before drafting their franchise quarterback, the Buffalo Bills found their franchise left tackle.

Back in the second round, the Bills drafted Temple’s Dion Dawkins with the 63rd overall pick in 2017. Since entering the NFL, the New Jersey-born Dawkins has solidified the blindside and played in 112 of a possible 115 regular-season games for Buffalo.

Although he didn’t make the top 10, Dawkins was one of six players to receive honorable mentions in ESPN’s annual rankings of offensive tackle positions. Editor Jeremy Fowler compiled the results of a survey of about 80 NFL executives, coaches and scouts, and San Francisco 49ers veteran Trent Williams earned the top spot.

Meanwhile, Dawkins has earned three consecutive Pro Bowl selections and is on the verge of reaching the highest level.

“Really underrated. He gives us a hard time every year. He plays brilliantly,” said an anonymous veteran defensive coach who participated in ESPN’s survey.

As a rookie, Dawkins earned a starting job alongside Pro Bowl left guard Richie Incognito and helped the 2017 Bills end the organization’s 17-year playoff drought. Dawkins, 30, hasn’t missed a start in 2023.

RELATED: Bills fall out of top 10 in NFL offensive ‘triples’ rankings

Buffalo has extended Dawkins’ contract twice. The two sides agreed to a three-year, $60 million deal last offseason. Dawkins is tied with linebacker Matt Milano and long snapper Reid Ferguson as the Bills’ longest-tenured active players.

On the other end of Buffalo’s offensive line, starting right tackle Spencer Brown fell into the “receiving votes” category in ESPN’s poll results.

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