No unit can hide for long in the NFL, and that’s especially true up front. A quarterback can have all the arm talent in the world and a team can stockpile weapons, but if the offensive line can’t hold together, the whole operation starts to wobble.
That’s why the AFC East offensive line picture heading into 2026 is worth sorting through. Buffalo has spent the Josh Allen era going from shaky to sturdy, and now the Bills sit in a spot where continuity and talent have turned their front into a real strength.
The rest of the division? There’s a lot more uncertainty.
4.) Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins come in last here because the picture around this group is still murky under a new regime. Their only notable addition to the unit was Kadyn Proctor in the draft, but with the roster getting a total overhaul, it’s hard to know what this line will actually look like.
Aaron Brewer gives them something to build around. He’s one of the better centers in the league. Still, the uncertainty surrounding the entire operation leaves Miami at the bottom of the ranking.
3.) New England Patriots
The Patriots being in the Super Bowl doesn’t erase the fact that Drake Maye took a beating in the regular season. He was sacked 47 times, which ranked fourth-worst, behind Justin Herbert at 55 and both Cam Ward and Geno Smith at 55.
The punishment didn’t stop there, either. Maye was sacked 21 times in the playoffs, including six times in the Super Bowl against the Seahawks.
It was close to a bottom-place finish for New England, but there is at least some continuity coming back. The Patriots also added Alijah Vera-Tucker in free agency and drafted Caleb Lomu, so there’s a path for improvement. Even so, this group has plenty to clean up before it can be trusted in 2026.
2.) New York Jets
The Jets aren’t exactly a team people are circling for big things, but their offensive line is steadier than most would expect. They’ve got young tackles who have shown promise, and Joe Tippmann stands out as one of the better guards in the division after signing a four-year extension this past offseason.
Frank Reich is set to call the offense, and that should matter here. If he gets the most out of this group and the line stays healthy, the Jets could end up surprising a lot of people.
1.) Buffalo Bills
The Bills still have to find a replacement at left guard, but they remain the class of the division because of what they’ve built over the last few seasons. This line helped Josh Allen win his first MVP award back in 2024, and it also paved the way for James Cook to lead the league in rushing touchdowns and rushing yards over the last two seasons.
Buffalo also added Pat Meyer as its next offensive line coach, and he previously worked under Aaron Kromer. Between the continuity already in place and the talent across the unit, the Bills deserve the top spot.
In Other News...
Bills Rookie Suddenly Feels Important In Buffalos New Defense
The Bills are in the middle of a defensive reset under coordinator Jim Leonhard, moving from an even-front look to an odd-front scheme, and that kind of change tends to create opportunity for young players who can process quickly. One of the early names to emerge is rookie linebacker Kaleb Elarms-Orr, a fourth-round pick in 2026 who has already drawn notice in offseason work for the way he handles the mental side of the game and moves around the field.
Elarms-Orr is still fighting for his place in a crowded linebacker room, with roster spots and snaps far from settled as Buffalo sorts out its new front. But the path is there if he keeps stacking good days, especially with the Bills needing answers behind the established options and a rookie who can absorb the scheme quickly suddenly looking a lot more relevant than a typical late-spring depth piece. [Read more 🡒]
Bills Best Offseason Move Was Keeping Connor McGovern Home
The Bills spent part of their offseason reworking the roster after coaching changes, but one of Brandon Beanes quietest wins was keeping Connor McGovern in Buffalo. The center was rewarded with a four-year, $52 million deal with $32 million guaranteed, a move that locked in a player who had become a stabilizing presence in the middle of the offensive line and earned a Pro Bowl invite in 2024.
What makes the deal stand out is that McGovern could have chased a richer market elsewhere, yet chose to stay put on a hometown-friendly number. For a team trying to maintain continuity up front while reshaping other parts of the roster, that kind of commitment matters, and it gives Buffalo a little more certainty at a spot where stability is never a bad thing. [Read more 🡒]
Bills Linked To Veteran Fix For Lingering Run Defense Problem
Buffalos run defense was a sore spot last season, and the offseason did not bring a major overhaul up front even with the switch to a 3-4 look. The Bills did make some limited additions along the defensive line, but the middle of the defense still looks like an area where more help could make sense as the team tries to firm up a problem that lingered for too long.
One idea floated in a recent trade proposal would send a veteran defensive lineman from Baltimore to Buffalo, giving the Bills another body with experience in the middle and some insurance as Deone Walker settles into the nose tackle role in his second season. The suggested move would not be a blockbuster, but it would give Buffalo a sturdier run-defense option and a little more flexibility if the current plan needs reinforcement. [Read more 🡒]