Pro Football Focus gives Buffalo Bills tackle Dion Dawkins a poor rating

Sometimes I like to read a good Pro Football Focus article or check out their player ratings. I find value in what they do, but sometimes I have to question their thought process. This is the case with their recent ranking of the 32 best offensive tackles. Looking back to last season, PFF ranked the Bills offensive line fifth in the league, heading into the final week of the regular season, and called Dawkins the team’s best lineman.

Now, Dawkins is ranked as the 21st best blocker in the league. Something is wrong with me. You called Dawkins the team’s best lineman, ranked the Bills’ line in the top five, and now suddenly Dawkins is the 21st best blocker in the league. There are 64 starting tackles in the NFL, so that means Dawkins is the starting third, which doesn’t sound too bad, but let’s look at some of those ranked ahead of him. What about Rashawn Slater of the Chargers, who PFF graded at 59.5 points? Or how about the Panthers’ Taylor Moton, who had a PFF overall grade of 74.6, with a block grade of 65.6? In contrast, Dawkins earned an overall grade of 73.7 and a best block grade of 66.3, but Moton is ranked eight spots higher.

By the way, Dawkins also allowed just one sack last season. One area he might want to clean up is penalties, ranking 11th in the league with nine penalties according to PFF. It’s clear to me that Dawkins continues to be one of the most underrated offensive tackles in the game today, perhaps with another outstanding season like last year he will finally start to get more the recognition he deserves.

Buffalo’s line will look slightly different in 2024, but Dawkins will continue to anchor the left tackle position and serve as the leader of the line. Mitch Morse is no longer with the team, leaving Connor McGovern to slide from his guard position to center, and reserve lineman David Edwards will be asked to step in as the starter at guard. This unit needs to play well while Josh Allen learns his new weapons and develops timing and chemistry with his new receivers. If they do, I see no reason why the Bills line and offense couldn’t be at the top next season.