Ryan Bates changing fortunes for Bills O line: Penn State in the NFL

Former Penn State left tackle Ryan Bates may have finally found a home in the NFL, and it’s back where it all started. The former Nittany Lion started his career at left guard, where he has started for the Buffalo Bills for the past four weeks. His presence has sparked an unexpected change for offensive coordinator Brian Daboll.

Bates finally gets his chance

During the final three weeks of the regular season, Buffalo was 2nd in total team rushing yards and sixth in yards-per-carry. The previously inconsistent Buffalo offense struggled to run the ball or routinely protect for quarterback Josh Allen this season. However, the team has seemingly found stability through Bates’ play, which they will need on Sunday when they face the Kansas City Chiefs with a date in the AFC Championship game on the line.

That is not to say that Bates has been outstanding in his performances. PFF ranks Bates as the 39th overall player at guard through the final three weeks of the regular season and wildcard weekend. He also isn’t the apparent catalyst for the resurgence in the Bills ground game, ranking just above average as a run blocker with a 61.4 grade (48th).

Bates as a run-blocker

Ryan Bates, dubbed “Rick” by a teammate a few years ago, has made a difference by not making mistakes. Instead, the Penn State product has held up his end of the bargain by executing blocks to their expected level. This idea may seem obvious, but not losing is almost as valuable as winning on the offensive line. While both former Iowa product Ike Boettger and Miami guard Jon Feliciano, may have more potential for big plays than Bates, both have lost too much to make that valuable. Both have sub-60 PFF run-blocking grades. (60 is considered a neutral grade with anything below being negative)

With Bates securing his man, Bills left tackle Dion Dawkins has taken his game to another level. The Temple product has been the best run-blocking tackles in the league over the season’s last month. Bates’ mobility allows the Bills to call a much more diverse run game, deploying more pin-and-pull technique to get on the edge of the defense. This has opened up a whole new world of opportunities for head coach Sean McDermott’s squad.

Ryan Bates in pass protection

There’s also the fact that Bates is the best pass protector that Buffalo has deployed at guard this year. Once again, pass protection is more about eliminating mistakes and not giving up significant pressures. Bates gave up three hits on Allen in four games, but considering how much Buffalo throws the ball, he’s still the 11th most efficient guard over that time in terms of avoiding pressures. He’s also been top-10 in true-passing situations, allowing only two pressures on 51 attempts.

That pass-blocking prowess will be put to the test on Sunday when Bates faces Kansas City’s Chris Jones, who racked up seven sacks in the final seven games of the season once he moved back to the interior.

Penn State lesson learned

Ryan Bates’ emergence is also a lesson for the Nittany Lions offensive line struggles over the past year. Offensive lines are more than pieces put together. Their production requires five individuals playing together as more than a sum of their parts. Bates is not an exceptional talent by NFL standards. He’s quick, mobile, and intelligent, but his 302 pounds isn’t blowing anyone off the ball. Yet his proficiency has allowed those around him to flourish and exhibit their talents. To leave fans with a sense of hope, one player in the right situation can change everything.