Buffalo Bills: 2019 is a make-or-break year for Dion Dawkins

If he does not improve quickly, Buffalo Bills left tackle Dion Dawkins could be replaced.

Last offseason, the Buffalo Bills traded offensive tackle Cordy Glenn to the Cincinnati Bengals. The move was made to move up in the 2018 NFL Draft and also for some salary cap relief. However, the Bills never would have made the deal if they did not believe in young offensive tackle Dion Dawkins.

As a second-round rookie in 2017, Dawkins started 11 games for the Bills at left tackle, filling in for an injured Glenn. He played well as a rookie, particularly showing long-term upside in pass protection. Once the Bills traded away Glenn, Dawkins became their unquestioned starting left tackle.

Unfortunately, his first season as a full-time starter did not exactly go according to plan. The Bills’ offensive line as a whole was a mess last season, and while Dawkins may have been the best of the bunch, that is not really saying much.

Dawkins took a significant step back in 2018 as both a pass protector and run blocker. He was easily beaten with speed around the edge far too often and seemed to miss his assignment far too often when run blocking. There were many times where Dawkins would simply miss his block and be the sole reason for a busted run play.

Dawkins also struggled mightily with penalties last season. He was flagged 11 times last season, the fifth-most of any offensive lineman in the entire NFL. With many false start and holding penalties, Dawkins struggled with both mental lapses and physical limitations that led to penalties.

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Simply put, 2018 was not a banner year for Dion Dawkins and if he expects to continue to be the starting left tackle for the Buffalo Bills going forward, he must improve his play on the field. He will likely begin the 2019 season as the Bills’ starting left tackle, but there are now players who can step in and take his spot if he continues to struggle. In particular, Ty Nsekhe who has had success as at the left tackle position with the Washington Redskins in the past.

The Bills made the offensive line a priority this offseason. Along with Nsekhe and La’Adrian Waddle at tackle, the Bills loaded up on the interior, signing free agents Mitch Morse, Spencer Long, Quinton Spain and Jon Feliciano. The Bills also drafted offensive lineman Cody Ford in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft. Ford is a big and powerful lineman who could step in at right tackle or guard.

Buffalo made significant investments to remake their offensive line this offseason and the unit appears to be in much better shape. Having more talent up front around Dawkins could certainly help him get back to playing at a high level. When he had success as a rookie, Dawkins was playing next to Pro Bowl left guard Richie Incognito.

However, having more offensive line talent around also means a shorter leash for Dawkins. Last season, the Bills really did not have a choice but to go with Dawkins at left tackle. There simply was not anybody around to push him. Now, Nsekhe is sitting right behind him as an established replacement if needed.

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The 2019 season is a make-or-break year for Dion Dawkins. If he cannot improve up front, the Bills can easily replace him for the short-term and will likely look to replace him for the long-term. They simply cannot mess around with the development of Josh Allen. If Dawkins can’t protect him, the Buffalo Bills have to find someone who can.

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