Ryan

Bates

General Manager Ryan poles initially targeted the veteran offensive lineman in the 2022 free agent cycle but was unsuccessful after the Bills matched his offer sheet, now landing him for a 2024 fifth round pick. The five-year pro played every game of his career in Buffalo, starting 19 games across 73 appearances. The Vikings also pursued Bates in 2022 after reports surfaced that they viewed him as a starting right guard. Bates should enter camp in a loose competition for a starting role on the interior offensive line for the Bears, a team that returns both Nate Davis and Teven Jenkins at guard.

Bills head coach Sean McDermott didn’t seem concerned about the availability of any of the players ahead of Sunday’s contest. Hyde, Floyd, and Bates were all on the bikes on the sideline and Neal was able to get in some minor workouts. As veterans, all of them should be able to play on Sunday if they can get one limited practice in this week. Against a prolific Dolphins offense, the Bills certainly need both Hyde and Poyer to be out there. Hyde missed all three games against the Dolphins last year with his neck injury.

Bates suffered a concussion in Sunday’s loss to the Dolphins and will look to clear protocol ahead of Sunday’s Week 4 matchup against the Ravens. Bates has started every game at right guard for the Bills this season, allowing eight quarterback pressures and one sack on the season.

Buffalo designated Bates with a “low” tender, which would have left them without any compensation if signed by another team because he entered the league as an undrafted free agent. The Bears took advantage of the designation and signed him to an offer sheet, which the Bills had the right to match. Bates now returns to Buffalo as a versatile lineman who has seen snaps at guard, center, and tackle. He picked up starts at guard in 2021 and could work his way into the starting lineup again in 2022.

Bates was given the “low” tender by the Bills as a restricted free agent, and as a past UDFA, Buffalo would get nothing in return if they choose not to match the offer sheet. They’ll have five days to decide. He’s a valued reserve who has appeared in all 33 games the last two seasons. In Chicago, Bates likely has a better shot to start.

The Bills put the low tender on Bates as an RFA, and as a previous undrafted free agent, they’d get nothing back in return should they choose not to match a potential offer sheet. Prior to visiting the Patriots, Bates also visited the Vikings and has one scheduled with the Bears. RFA offer sheets are rare, but it sounds like one could come together for Bates. The 25-year-old appeared in all 33 games for the Bills over the last two seasons, seeing snaps at guard, center, and tackle. He made four starts last year.

The Bills can now match any offer but would not receiver draft-pick compensation were Bates to bolt. If he plays under the tender, he will bring home $2.433 million in 2022. Bates helped out all along the Bills’ line last season before injury thrust him into the starting left guard role for the stretch run and playoffs. He held his own. Bates also saw scattered snaps at left tackle and center. That is valuable versatility even if you only want to use it in a pinch.

Bates (6’5/306) turned pro as a redshirt junior after making 40 starts for the Nittany Lions and earning third-team All-Big Ten in 2018. Primarily a left tackle at PSU, Bates offers athleticism to stay there in the pros (72nd-percentile SPARQ), but short arms (32 ½") will likely move him inside. Scouts questioned Bates’ commitment to and passion for football before the draft, damaging his stock despite above-par college tape. Ultimately, Bates would likely do well to carve out a career as a swing tackle-guard reserve.

Bates (6’5/306) turned pro as a redshirt junior after making 40 starts for the Nittany Lions and earning third-team All-Big Ten in 2018. Primarily a left tackle at PSU, Bates offers athleticism to stay there in the pros (72nd-percentile SPARQ), but short arms (32 ½") will likely move him inside. Scouts questioned Bates’ commitment to and passion for football before the draft, damaging his stock despite above-par college tape. Ultimately, Bates would likely do well to carve out a career as a swing tackle-guard reserve.

Zierlein also noted that Bates (6'4/306) “showed some life in pass pro” but is “lacking the physical profile to stay at tackle in the NFL” yet is “deficient in leverage and power that could make a transition to guard too challenging.” Bates was originally given a third-round grade by Draft Analyst’s Tony Pauline but it’s clear Zierlein is much lower on him, believing he just has a better-than-average chance to make an NFL roster.