The Buffalo Bills made some noise Thursday, not with a blockbuster wide receiver trade, but by shoring up the trenches. They brought in two veteran offensive linemen, Austin Corbett and Lloyd Cushenberry III, along with defensive tackle DeShawn Williams. It's the kind of move that doesn't grab national headlines but could pay dividends when the snow starts falling in Orchard Park.
Corbett, a former second-round pick by the Rams in 2018, spent the last two seasons with the Carolina Panthers. He started 17 games at right guard for the Panthers in 2022, allowing just two sacks and earning a respectable 71.4 pass-blocking grade from Pro Football Focus. His 2023 season was cut short by a knee injury, limiting him to just four starts. That's a concern, no doubt. But when healthy, Corbett brings a championship pedigree, having won Super Bowl LVI with the Rams as their starting right guard. The Bills need that kind of experience.
Then there's Lloyd Cushenberry III. The former Denver Broncos center has been a fixture in their lineup since being drafted in the third round in 2020. He started all 17 games for Denver last season, playing 1,090 snaps. Cushenberry's PFF pass-blocking grade of 76.4 was a career-high, and he allowed only one sack all year. That's a significant upgrade from Mitch Morse, who allowed four sacks in 15 games last season. Morse was a solid Bill, but Cushenberry is younger and coming off his best professional season.
Buffalo's offensive line has been a mixed bag. They allowed 41 sacks last season, tied for 15th most in the league. Josh Allen is a master at extending plays, but even he can't escape every rush. Dion Dawkins is a Pro Bowl left tackle, and Spencer Brown has shown flashes at right tackle. But the interior has been a revolving door at times. Connor McGovern is solid at left guard, but the center and right guard spots have been question marks.
Look, signing Corbett and Cushenberry isn't going to turn the Bills' offensive line into the 1990s Cowboys' "Great Wall." But it gives them options. Cushenberry immediately slots in as the presumed starting center. His consistency is what the Bills have been looking for. Corbett, assuming he's fully recovered from his knee issue, provides competition and depth at right guard. If he's healthy, he's probably the starter over O'Cyrus Torrence, who had a tough rookie year, allowing five sacks in 17 starts. You want good problems, and having two capable guards is a good problem.
This is all about Josh Allen. The Bills' offense runs through him, and keeping him upright is paramount. He threw for 4,306 yards and 29 touchdowns last season, but he also took a lot of hits. The more time Allen has in the pocket, the more plays he can make. It’s that simple. This isn’t a flashy move, but it’s a smart one. They addressed a clear need with proven veterans.
Here's the thing: people will still clamor for a big-name receiver. And maybe the Bills still make a move there. But protecting the quarterback is the foundation of any good offense. The Kansas City Chiefs rebuilt their entire offensive line after Super Bowl LV, and they’ve been to two more since. The Bills are taking a page from that playbook. They're investing in the guys who do the dirty work. My hot take? This will be the most underrated move of the offseason for the Bills. It won't get the headlines, but it will directly contribute to at least two more Josh Allen touchdowns this coming season.