Latest news with #DionDawkins
Fox Sports
14-07-2025
- Sport
- Fox Sports
The Inside Story of How Bills LT Dion Dawkins Helped Create 'Protector of the Year'
THE COLONY, Texas — As the first day of the eighth annual offensive line masterminds summit wrapped up, all eyes in the COSM Dallas dome hall turned to the Bills' Dion Dawkins. Perennial Pro Bowler and recent retiree Terron Armstead, moderating a panel of Hall of Fame linemen, took a moment to shout out Buffalo's left tackle for spearheading the campaign that led to the creation of the "Protector of the Year." Beginning this season, the award will be presented annually at "NFL Honors" to the league's top offensive lineman. The room — filled with O-line greats past and present, in addition to rising stars at both the college and NFL levels, plus coaches and talent evaluators — broke out into applause. Standing in the corner, Dawkins took it all in, busting out a wide smile. "It was something that was mandatory for football," Dawkins said of the award. The Bills' four-time Pro Bowl left tackle told me about the "multiyear" campaign he led to create the honor, which was unveiled by the league in May. The winner will be decided annually by a panel of former offensive linemen: LeCharles Bentley, Jason Kelce, Shaun O'Hara, Orlando Pace, Will Shields and Andrew Whitworth. Along with Dawkins, Whitworth played an integral role in advocating for the award. Dawkins told me that they pushed the lengthy campaign through to the finish line at last season's Super Bowl. Dawkins, with Hall of Famer Pace at his side for support, approached NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell at his Super Bowl party. "I was like, 'Rog,'" Dawkins said. "Not one of us could ever say we were the best. We don't have no trophy to say we're the best. … We don't have anything that can show we're the best offensive lineman during our time for a season. We need that award. "He's like, 'Dion, you're right. I'm ready to listen. I'm here. Let's do it.' So we did it. Call after call after call after call. Meeting after meeting after meeting after meeting. Name [for the award]. This, that — long list of all that stuff. Then we had the press conference. Now, it's official." The Protector of the Year winner will be selected based on skill metrics (e.g. pass block win rate, run block win rate, penalties, sacks allowed), taking into account impact, leadership, durability and strength of opponent as well. Offensive linemen were previously ineligible for most on-field awards. "Everybody says, 'He was a great protector.'" Dawkins said. "'Yeah, he was a great lineman. Yeah, he was a lineman for Jim Kelly. Yeah, he was the lineman for [Donovan] McNabb, Michael Vick,' somebody like that. But what good is it to play a sport or to do something and not be able to win an award? "Like, can you imagine if there was no MVP trophy?" he continued. "Can you imagine if there was no passing title? Can you also imagine if there was no sack title? Or no Defensive Player of the Year? Or no Offensive Player of the Year? If there was no NBA MVP, what would LeBron James be? Just another good player. "As a lineman, I want to know who the best protector is. Who's the best? And if it's not me, cool — now, I know where I'm at. Now, I know where I was ranked. Cool, no I can fight for it. Simple as that. Now, the big boys have something to fight for. And I love it." Dawkins also discussed his quarterback, Josh Allen. The three-time Pro Bowler now has an NFL MVP award after this past season, but he hasn't reached a Super Bowl as he enters Year 8. Allen is 0-4 against Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs in the playoffs, including January's AFC Championship Game loss to Kansas City. Allen's mentality, Dawkins explained, is not the problem in Buffalo. "Josh is going to be Josh. Josh doesn't have to do nothing different," Dawkins told me. "Josh is the best that he can be. The reflection is, everybody around him has to be the best that they can be for us to get over that hump. Of course, everybody is like, 'Is Josh Allen going to do it for the Buffalo Bills?' Josh Allen is going to do what he's been doing, and that's be great. Now, all of us have to be great with him, consistently. Make every block. Catch every pass. Kick every kick. Run down to make every tackle. Once we do that, the rest is the rest. "He's one of them dudes," he added of Allen. "You can't compare him to nothing else, man. He walks through, you feel his presence." Dawkins made his presence felt at the offensive line masterminds summit, hosted by O-line guru Duke Manyweather and Eagles right tackle Lane Johnson. Wearing a shirt of himself on Day 1 of the event, Dawkins gave an impromptu speech about his mentality in front of the 200-person room, showing his engaging and confident persona. "When I walk on the field, I literally say I'm the baddest motherf---er here," he told the room. " I don't give a f---. I'll tell you, 'I'll talk s--- and I'll beat your ass.'" Entering his 10th season, the 31-year-old Dawkins was one of the handful of greats whom college and younger NFL offensive linemen gravitated to during the summit's breakout sessions, where players could get advice and wisdom. "People don't want to be linemen. People want to be skinny guys," Dawkins said of his approach to mentorship. "But to make people want to be big guys, you have to be cool and be around big guys, right? You have to stay in the culture. "Guys are growing up watching music videos," he continued. "You have to know what the world likes. I enjoy being that for the young guys. They look up to it. They're like, 'This dude is cool. He's normal. He's not a robot. He's keeping it real. He's telling his pros and cons. He's a normal dude.'" One who's not afraid to be himself, taking pride in a big win he secured for the overlooked bodyguards of the NFL. Ben Arthur is an NFL reporter for FOX Sports. He previously worked for The Tennessean/USA TODAY Network, where he was the Titans beat writer for a year and a half. He covered the Seattle Seahawks for for three seasons (2018-20) prior to moving to Tennessee. You can follow Ben on Twitter at @benyarthur . Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account , and follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily! recommended Item 1 of 3 Get more from the National Football League Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more
Yahoo
09-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
B/R names Bills' 'Mount Rushmore' since 2000 NFL season
The "Mount Rushmore" for the Buffalo Bills franchise, or any team, is a great offseason debate. Names like Jim Kelly, Thurman Thomas, Cookie Gilchrist, Joe Ferguson... and even OJ Simpson... are excellent candidates. Advertisement But Bleacher Report narrowed the playing field. How about the Mount Rushmore of the Bills... since the 2000 NFL season? That timeline of Buffalo's football team has both ends of the spectrum. Five-straight AFC East titles and a massive playoff drought. Considering that, three players currently on the team's roster crack the list. The one from the not-so-long past? No surprise. Here's B/R's picks: QB Josh Allen OT Dion Dawkins LB Matt Milano DT Kyle Williams Like Lamar Jackson, Josh Allen is a relatively fresh face for a Mt. Rushmore of the last 25 years. However, his selection is warranted because of his accomplishments and what he has meant to the Buffalo Bills franchise. Before the Bills drafted Allen in 2018, they had made only one playoff appearance this century. They haven't missed the postseason since his sophomore campaign, and they've won five straight AFC East titles. With 26,434 passing yards 4,142 rushing yards, 260 combined rushing and passing touchdowns, three Pro Bowl nods and one league MVP already on his resume, Allen is on a Hall of Fame trajectory. While success was fleeting for the Bills before Allen's arrival, he isn't the only legend from the last quarter-century who is still playing. Left tackle Dion Dawkins has made 122 career starts and earned four straight Pro Bowl nods. Linebacker Matt Milano has made only one Pro Bowl—he was also a first-team All-Pro in 2022—but he remains one of the NFL's best all-around defenders when healthy. Milano has tallied 504 tackles, 10.5 sacks, 59 tackles for loss and 39 pass breakups in 94 career games. His versatility and role in Buffalo's recent success earn him the nod over notable names like Aaron Schobel, Jerry Hughes and Stefon Diggs. Defensive tackle Kyle Williams represents the "old guard," as his last season coincided with Allen's rookie campaign. In his 13 seasons in Buffalo, Williams started 178 games, recorded 609 tackles and 48.5 sacks and made six Pro Bowls. This article originally appeared on Bills Wire: Bills' 'Mount Rushmore' list since the 2020 NFL season
Yahoo
02-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
2025 Buffalo Bills training camp preview: Offensive line
The Buffalo Bills are moving into their next major offseason phase in due time: Training camp. The Bills will kick off their 2025 training camp on July 23 at St. John Fisher University. As with every offseason, Bills Wire will examine each position group ahead of this pivotal time on the football calendar. Advertisement Our 2025 offensive line preview can be found below: At the top Sep 8, 2022; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams linebacker Leonard Floyd (54) defends against Buffalo Bills offensive tackle Dion Dawkins (73) in the second quarter at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports Buffalo's offensive line will look identical to last year's starting quintet. Connor McGovern was tremendous after sliding over to the center position from left guard last year. At the guard position, the Bills will have veteran David Edwards on the left side, accompanied by third-year pro O'Cyrus Torrence. Dion Dawkins will secure Josh Allen's blind side for the eighth consecutive season, while Spencer Brown holds down the right tackle spot for the fifth year in a row. Depth chart Bills offensive line Keaton Bills and Alec Anderson work on blocking. Guard Alec Anderson was the Bills' sixth lineman in jumbo packages in 2024. He ended up playing in approximately 27 percent of Buffalo's offensive snaps. Advertisement Behind McGovern, the Bills have 2024 draft pick Sedrick Van Pran-Granger and UDFA Jacob Bayer. Along with Anderson, former Houston first-round pick Kendrick Green. Mike Edwards, and Rush Reimer follow at the guard position. Tylan Grable, Ryan van Demark, Richard Gouraige, Chase Lundt, and Travis Clayton round out the tackle position. The depth at the offensive line position could be one of the more interesting position battles to follow this season. Anderson might see some competition from rookie tight end Jackson Hewes in the Bills jumbo packages. In addition, the next man up at tackle will be an intriguing spot to follow. In 2025... Buffalo Bills running back James Cook, carrying the ball, keeps low as teammate Buffalo Bills offensive tackle Spencer Brown blocks opening a spot for him during first half action at the Buffalo Bills divisional game against the Baltimore Ravens at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park on Jan. 19, 2025. The Bills offensive line allowed the fewest sacks in 2024, and there's great optimism that the unit can repeat this feat. The unit gelled quickly, as McGovern took the helm at center seamlessly. Dawkins and Brown are one of the top tackle duos in the league. Meanwhile, the interior line should work well to produce another above-average season for the ground game and protect Josh Allen in the aerial attack. Advertisement The major interesting point this season will be who the Bills prioritize as part of their long-term plans on the offensive line. Depending on who makes the final roster, Buffalo could be setting up players for a starting role in 2026. We can look at the case of David Edwards as a litmus test for how the Bills could handle their long-term line concerns. Edwards did not start a game in 2023 but earned full-time starter reps when the left guard position opened up in 2024. This could be help predict who could be a starter in 2026. This article originally appeared on Bills Wire: Buffalo Bills training camp preview offensive line
New York Times
26-06-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Bills training camp 2025 offensive line preview: One battle could be brewing
Since this Bills regime took over in 2017, they have been attempting to find their way with the offensive line. Through many draft picks, free agent investments and tough decisions, it all finally clicked for the team in 2024. The Bills had a good starting unit in 2023 that took an even bigger step forward in 2024, giving franchise quarterback Josh Allen the best offensive line he's had during his NFL career. How do things stack up for the offensive line heading into yet another year that they'll be pushing for a Super Bowl? While many faces remain the same, an eye on the future is essential with this group. Here is a detailed outlook of the offensive line for when the Bills return for training camp in late July. For the most part, nothing. The Bills had one of the best offensive lines in football last year and returned all five of their starters for 2025. The Bills employed one of the best offensive tackle duos in the league in Dion Dawkins and Spencer Brown, and the expectation is for that to continue as a strength in 2025. On the interior, left guard David Edwards, center Connor McGovern and right guard O'Cyrus Torrence were well above-average players. Even the team's top three backups are the same, with Alec Anderson, Tylan Grable and Sedrick Van Pran-Granger. The Bills did use one of their late-round picks on Chase Lundt to bring in another developmental offensive tackle prospect, but outside of him, the continuity for most of the group is uncanny by NFL standards. Advertisement How are they prioritizing extensions for the three interior starters? The Bills starting five are all signed in 2025 as they hope to resume their stay as one of the best units in the league. However, 2025 may very well be the last time the entire starting group is together. There are two key free agents on the horizon in McGovern and Edwards. On top of that, Torrence is a free agent after the 2026 season, which complicates the future of their interior offensive line a great deal. Torrence took a big step forward during the second half of the 2024 season, and should he continue that progress into a full year, the Bills could look at him as their next substantial extension investment next offseason. Top-of-the-market guards are not as cheap as they once were, so if Torrence becomes one of their key pieces moving forward, the cap space needed to keep him on the team could cause them to move on from the combination of Edwards and McGovern. The money for Torrence might be what the Bills have usually set aside for their starting center since general manager Brandon Beane arrived. Between McGovern and Edwards, the natural inclination is to think the Bills would favor McGovern just because of their investments at center throughout Beane's tenure. Beane invested in a contract extension for Eric Wood. After Wood had to retire and the Bills went a year without an answer at center, they signed Mitch Morse to a long-term, top-of-market deal. McGovern settled in nicely in 2024 in his first year at center, and that will help their potential decisions. However, McGovern turns 28 during the season, they have some in-house candidates to start there should he leave, and the Torrence discussion complicates a potential new deal for McGovern entirely. Edwards has been a revelation for the contracts he's signed with the team. He was their trusted jumbo package sixth offensive lineman in 2023 and that earned him a low-cost two-year deal. In 2024, he not only became their starting left guard, but he was also one of the most consistent players on the team last season. Edwards has easily outplayed his originally signed extension of $6 million over two years, and nailing contracts like that is part of what helps a team get over the top. Given his impact, it would be a surprise for Edwards to sign an extension before the season anywhere near the value they got him on in this last deal. Plus, the 28-year-old Edwards could be their lowest priority between Torrence, McGovern and Edwards, given his age and position. But the big question remains: what are the Bills valuing most with this trio? Do they want to prioritize Torrence, even if it means assigning more cap space to one guard than they ever have before under Beane? Or will they want their most notable continuity to be at center, with McGovern remaining the man in the middle of the offensive line past 2025, even if it means watching Torrence walk in 2027? And what does that all mean for Edwards? The upcoming season will be paramount to all of their critical decisions for a part of their offensive line that has helped them get to greater success as both a rushing offense and pass-blocking unit. IOL Alec Anderson vs. IOL Sedrick Van Pran-Granger While this battle won't be at the top of everyone's list, the battle between Anderson and Van Pran-Granger could have long-term implications. They would be battling for the backup center role to McGovern, who, as we pointed out, is a free agent in March and may not be in their plans if their re-signing priorities are elsewhere. If their plan is to move on from McGovern, it opens up an opportunity for one of Anderson or Van Pran-Granger to be at the top of their mind for who would be the potential starter in 2026. Anderson is a restricted free agent, while Van Pran-Granger is signed through 2027. Anderson has more in-game experience, but there are questions about whether he's better suited to play guard than center. Van Pran-Granger struggled a bit in his lone extended opportunity in Week 18, but he's a center first, which helps his cause. It would be unfair to conclude what Van Pran-Granger's potential could be based on that one game. Because the starting positions are spoken for in 2025, how Anderson and Van Pran-Granger perform in their center reps during camp practices and the preseason could determine who McGovern's true backup is this season, and if they play well enough, maybe even the Bills' starting center in 2026. Advertisement OT Ryan Van Demark Van Demark has been a success story of the Bills' development abilities, graduating from a practice squad player to having two seasons on the 53-man roster — many of those games with him serving as the top backup offensive tackle. But a few things have put Van Demark on the bubble in 2025. The first was his performance at right tackle during camp and in opportunities last season. Now with three full seasons under his belt in Buffalo and similar concerns that he's a left tackle only, the lack of versatility hurts his cause. Second, Van Demark was passed on the depth chart by versatile rookie Tylan Grable, who has been trained at both tackle spots and inside at guard. And third, the team used a sixth-round pick on Lundt this April, which could take Van Demark's spot on the team. This is a big summer for Van Demark's future on the team. Tylan Grable Grable came through in his first summer and rose through the ranks rapidly. He made the 53-man roster outright as a late-round pick and took Van Demark's job as the top offensive tackle reserve to begin the year. Grable then landed on Injured Reserve in Week 4, allowing Van Demark another chance to reclaim his job, but with Van Demark's struggles at right tackle in Week 18, the Bills went back to having Grable as the top backup swing tackle for the playoffs, making Van Demark a healthy scratch for the entire postseason. The expectation is that Grable will be the favorite to retain that role this summer, but what makes him a sleeper is his versatility in giving the team reps at guard. With Grable signed through 2027, you can't rule out him being a contender for the starting left guard job in 2026 if the Bills move on from Edwards. Grable had an impressive rookie year, all things considered, so we'll see if he can continue his in-house ascent. Dion Dawkins, David Edwards, Connor McGovern, O'Cyrus Torrence, Spencer Brown, Alec Anderson, Tylan Grable, Sedrick Van Pran-Granger, Chase Lundt Because the Bills have so many of the same faces returning for 2025, there aren't that many difficult decisions ahead. The starters will remain the same, and the top three backups will likely remain the same. It really comes down to two questions. First, will they find enough room to keep 10 offensive linemen? They have in the past, but usually only go with nine, and have some different positions with many contenders to make the team, pulling them toward keeping nine again this year. Second, if they only keep nine, will it be the experienced Van Demark or the rookie Lundt, who is on a four-year deal, that they keep as their final offensive lineman? At this stage, I'll give the benefit of the doubt to the rookie, as the Bills generally like to keep their picks on the team if they have the spot for them.
Yahoo
22-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Bills Pro Bowler Appears on 'Today Show' Revealing Major Goals For 2025
Bills Pro Bowler Appears on 'Today Show' Revealing Major Goals For 2025 originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Few tackles in the league are as outspoken - or as good - as Buffalo Bills left tackle Dion Dawkins. Advertisement The lovably eccentric offensive lineman has been busy this offseason. He was a key player in the league's creation of an Offensive Lineman of the Year award and has been on plenty of shows to discuss his team's upcoming expectations. The latest trip? A guest appearance on NBC's "Today Show.'' Dawkins went on the national TV show to talk about his time as an ambassador of the American Cornhole League. Along the way, he spoke about the Bills' goals for the upcoming season. "In my mind, any time we're on the field, we have a chance. As long as we've got 17," Dawkins said, noting QB Josh Allen's jersey number. "As long as we've got the running backs and receivers, the head coach, the Pegulas (ownership), I got us." Advertisement Buffalo has been to the conference title game twice since Dawkins and Allen were drafted. Both the tackle and quarterback have been connected as some of the best players in the league. Allen is coming off a league MVP award. Dawkins, meanwhile, is a Pro Bowler in his own right. The only thing the two are missing is a championship. If the Bills can overcome their conference title woes, their entire offense will become legendary. Dawkins and Allen may already be there, but their impact across the league could put them on a path to the Hall of Fame. ... and more TV appearances to go with that. Related: Bills' 'Magical' James Cook Gets Brutal Prediction from Insider This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 21, 2025, where it first appeared.
