Ryan Van Demark offensive tackle Buffalo Bills
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ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 20: Tyler Bass #2 of the Buffalo Bills celebrates after kicking a field goal with teammate Ryan Van Demark #74 against the Tennessee Titans during the third quarter at Highmark Stadium on October 20, 2024 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Bryan M. Bennett/Getty Images)
The Buffalo Bills‘ offensive line took a hit this offseason when they lost guard David Edwards to the New Orleans Saints, with whom he signed a four-year $61 million free agent deal.
And the team was in danger of losing another fairly long-standing member of the offensive line group, offensive tackle Ryan Van Demark, when the Vikings made a one year, $4.2. million offer to the former 2022 undrafted free agent.
Van Demark had already been given an original round tender from the Bills as a restricted free agent, which guaranteed him a one year, $3.52 million deal. Any team was then permitted to sign him to a deal which the Bills were eligible to match.
Now, having had a few days to make a decision, it seems that Buffalo will not be matching Minnesota’s offer, and Van Demark will be heading to Minnesota, per Alaina Getzenberg.
Alaina Getzenberg
The Bills had placed a $3.52 million right of first refusal tender on Van Demark. The team had until Monday to match.
Tylan Grable and Chase Lundt are key reserve tackles for the Bills. OL depth is overall an area to watch (LG especially)
Bills Decline to Match Offer Sheet For Ryan Van Demark
“The Bills have chosen not to match the Vikings’ one-year, $4.2 million fully guaranteed offer to OL Ryan Van Demark, a source confirmed. Buffalo elects to let the swing tackle head to Minnesota. The Bills will get nothing in return. NFL Network first reported.” Getzenberg wrote on Friday.
“The Bills had placed a $3.52 million right of first refusal tender on Van Demark. The team had until Monday to match. Tylan Grable and Chase Lundt are key reserve tackles for the Bills. OL depth is overall an area to watch (LG especially)”, Getzenberg followed up in a subsequent post.
Demark was never a full-time starter for the Bills since first seeing action on offense in 2023, but he was a reliable rotational tackle on Buffalo’s line, which has been one of the league’s best over the past few years.
The 27-year old also played in all 17 games for the first time in his career last year, and started a career-high four games in the regular season.
How Will the Bills Replace Their Departed Offensive Linemen?
Right now, fellow 2022 undrafted free agent Alec Anderson is set to take Edwards’ spot at guard, although 2024 fifth round pick Sedrick Van Pran-Granger could also be in the mix. The position will be a top contender for the Bills to fill with a rookie on the first two days of the draft, with either the 26th or 91st overall pick.
A player like Texas A&M’s Chase Bisontis would fit in perfectly next to center Connor McGovern and left tackle Dion Dawkins, but at #26 he may be considered a bit too much of a reach.
On the exterior, as Getzenberg mentions the two main contenders to perform the swing tackle duties are Tylan Grable and Chase Lundt, both former sixth round picks in the 2024 and 2025 NFL drafts.
Grable has two professional career starts to his name, whilst Lundt has none, and it is quite possible that April could also see them look to acquire more day 3 offensive linemen who can compete to fill that all-important backup role.