Bills eyeing top draft prospect at position of need
The Buffalo Bills are reportedly interested in one of the top interior offensive lineman in the 2023 NFL Draft class. According to Ryan Fowler of The Draft Network, Buffalo has been doing extensive research on TCU product, Steve Avila. In 2022, Avila played 13 games at left guard, allowing just eight QB hurries, two QB […]
The Buffalo Bills are reportedly interested in one of the top interior offensive lineman in the 2023 NFL Draft class.
According to Ryan Fowler of The Draft Network, Buffalo has been doing extensive research on TCU product, Steve Avila. In 2022, Avila played 13 games at left guard, allowing just eight QB hurries, two QB hits and zero sacks in 899 snaps.
The six-foot-three run-blocking phenom has experience playing all over the offensive line. He started at center for TCU in 2021 and has experience playing at right tackle as well.
At the NFL level, Avila projects as a guard. When asked about his positional preference at the Senior Bowl, Avila said, “There is some recency bias because I came off a whole year playing left guard and had success there, but hopping back into center, it’s like riding a bike, you never forget how to do that.”
“Honestly, I probably feel more comfortable at right guard.”
Avila’s versatility has clearly caught Buffalo’s eye, who will likely look to replace Rodger Saffold at left guard, or provide competition at right guard for Ryan Bates.
Avila projects as a late first-rounder or early second-rounder. His experience across the offensive line could vault him into the first round. If he’s available when the Bills go on the clock at No. 27, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see general manager Brandon Beane pull the trigger on an exceptionally athletic offensive line prospect.
Featured image via Vasha Hunt – USA TODAY Sports
