{"id":855188,"date":"2026-04-05T14:25:19","date_gmt":"2026-04-05T14:25:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/855188\/"},"modified":"2026-04-05T14:25:19","modified_gmt":"2026-04-05T14:25:19","slug":"free-agents-departure-shifts-bills-nfl-draft-day-3-priority-to-premium-position","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/855188\/","title":{"rendered":"Free Agent’s Departure Shifts Bills’ NFL Draft Day 3 Priority to ‘Premium Position’"},"content":{"rendered":"

The offensive tackle’s Instagram story serves as a reminder that the Buffalo Bills<\/a> have a hole to fill.<\/p>\n

Ryan Van Demark revealed his Minnesota Vikings jersey number (72) to his social media followers<\/a> on Saturday, two weeks after the Bills declined to match the $4.27 million offer sheet<\/a> that the restricted free agent received from his new team.<\/p>\n

Buffalo tendered Van Demark with the right of first refusal tag, but didn’t have enough salary cap space to go above the $3.5 million mark. As a result, the Bills’ offense loses a key depth piece who was able to step in and start at tackle in a pinch<\/a>.<\/p>\n

“The $3.5 million was even a tough number for us to do,” said Bills’ general manager Brandon Beane at the league meetings<\/a> in Phoenix. “We really like Vandy and are proud of his development. Thought last year, he took a step forward, played and, obviously, we won some games with him at tackle.”<\/p>\n

\"Ryan<\/p>\n

Aug 12, 2023; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills tackle Ryan Van Demark (74) blocks during the second half at Highmark Stadium. | Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

What Bills must replace<\/p>\n

The 28-year-old Van Demark, who spent the 2022 campaign on the practice squad, played 43 regular season games for Buffalo over the past three years.<\/p>\n

Van Demark was active for every game in 2025, making three starts at right tackle and one start on the left side. The 6-foot-6 bookend logged a career-high 312 offensive snaps in relief of Spencer Brown and Dion Dawkins<\/a>.<\/p>\n

“Tackles are a premium position,” said Beane. “We tried our best [to retain Van Demark]. Now, you have to look at our cap, and we obviously spent the money on DJ [Moore] and [Bradley] Chubb and some of these other guys.”<\/p>\n

As a result, the Bills must identify a successor for a productive backup<\/a> who got paid elsewhere.<\/p>\n

Potential NFL Draft Day 3 solutions<\/p>\n

While the Bills have other draft needs<\/a> that will likely take priority in the early rounds, it seems sensible to use a Day 3 pick to take a swing at finding a fledgling swing tackle.<\/p>\n

Tylan Grable, a 2024 sixth-round selection, would be the primary backup tackle had the Bills needed to make a choice today, but more competition will likely arrive in the near future.<\/p>\n

\"Ryan<\/p>\n

Bills Ryan Van Demark works with Tylan Grable after the official end of practice. | Tina MacIntyre-Yee\/Democrat and Chronicle \/ USA TODAY NETWORK<\/p>\n

“We do feel like a Tylan Grable, Chase Lundt in his second year. Who knows what happens in the draft, but we’ll still try to add depth,” said Beane.<\/p>\n

The Bills have five picks<\/a> over the draft’s final four rounds, starting with No. 126 overall on Day 3. One of their two fifth-rounders could translate into good value at offensive tackle. Florida’s Austin Barber and Boston College’s Jude Bowry are two names who may draw interest in that vicinity.<\/p>\n

\"Austin<\/p>\n

Nov 16, 2024; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators offensive lineman Austin Barber (58) cheers with Florida Gators running back Jadan Baugh (13) after a game against the LSU Tigers | Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images<\/p>\n