Buffalo Bills free agency 2019: Top 5 targets

DETROIT, MI - DECEMBER 23: Minnesota Vikings running back Latavius Murray (25) runs with the ball during a regular season game between the Minnesota Vikings and the Detroit Lions on December 23, 2018 at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Scott W. Grau/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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TAMPA, FL – OCTOBER 21: Tampa Bay Buccaneers tackle Donovan Smith (76) during the first half of an NFL game between the Cleveland Browns and the Tampa Bay Bucs on October 21, 2018, at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, FL. (Photo by Roy K. Miller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

1. RT Donovan Smith (Tampa Bay Buccaneers)

Keeping Josh Allen in any Buffalo Bills four different quarterbacks out of harm’s way this past season was a major issue for this club. Sean McDermott’s club allowed a disturbing 41 sacks (28 of those on rookie quarterback Josh Allen.

As mentioned earlier, veteran left tackle Cordy Glenn was dealt to the Cincinnati Bengals last offseason. That was because Dion Dawkins showed enough as a rookie filling for the veteran blocker to think the Bills could make the move. After all, the club was able to move up from the 21st position in the first round to No. 12 in 2018 thanks to the swap.

But according to the staff at Pro Football Focus (subscription required), Dawkins comes off a shaky year in which his performance declined sharply from his debut campaign. Meanwhile, 2015 second-round Donovan Smith, a four-year starter for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers who hasn’t missed a game to date, has seen his play steadily improve from year to year (also according to PFF).

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To be fair, it’s worth noting that the Bucs also gave up 41 sacks in ’18. And Dawkins actually graded out higher than Smith this past season. But could the Bills make a move for a more experienced left tackle and switch Dawkins to the right side as a replacement for Jordan Mills? The latter comes off a tough year and is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent in March.

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