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Bills Rookie Has Eliminated The Need For The Buffalo 6th OL Package

Bills rookie tight end Hawes making immediate impact

BUFFALO, N.Y. — Three weeks into his NFL career, rookie tight end Jackson Hawes (#85) is already changing the way the Buffalo Bills operate.

Against the Ravens, Jets, and Dolphins, Hawes made the most of his limited opportunities:

  • Week 1 vs. BAL – 1 catch, 29 yards, crucial first down in a 41–40 thriller.
  • Week 2 @ NYJ – 1 catch, 5 yards, steady role as an extra blocker in a 30–10 win.
  • Week 3 vs. MIA – 1 catch, 5 yards, his first NFL touchdown, helping seal a 31–21 victory.

But the numbers only tell part of the story. Hawes’ impact has been felt most in the trenches.

Observers note that Hawes has effectively eliminated the Bills’ need for a “6th offensive lineman package.” Instead of subbing in an extra tackle, Buffalo can now line up Hawes, who not only provides elite blocking but also threatens as a receiver.

“He’s relentless,” one fan put it. “The perfect blocking tight end three weeks into his career. Absolutely love everything about this kid.”

That versatility has ripple effects across the roster. If Hawes continues at this level, it could force the Bills to make tough contract decisions with veteran tight end Dawson Knox — possibly restructuring or even moving on. And it raises a fair question: if Hawes keeps growing, will the Bills still need to re-sign depth lineman Alec Anderson when his deal expires?

Head coach Sean McDermott praised the rookie’s early impact, saying:

“What stands out with Jackson is his toughness and consistency. He plays like a sixth lineman when we need him to, but he’s also reliable as a target in the passing game. For a young player to embrace that role so quickly, it speaks volumes about his future here — and that’s the kind of grit and heart that fits Buffalo. It’s the same spirit you see in Bills Mafia every Sunday.”

As Buffalo rides a 3–0 start, the emergence of Hawes gives the team a new dimension — flexibility without sacrificing power. He may not fill up the stat sheet, but his presence could reshape the way the Bills build their offense this season and beyond.

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Raiders Reunite with a Former Starter to Fortify the Offensive Line
Las Vegas, NV   The Las Vegas Raiders have brought back a familiar face in a move that screams both urgency and savvy: versatile offensive lineman Jermaine Eluemunor is returning to the Silver & Black on a one-year deal (terms not disclosed), reuniting with the franchise where he logged some of the best football of his career and immediately fortifying a position group that has been stretched thin. Eluemunor, 31, started for the Raiders from 2021–2023, showing rare position flexibility across right tackle and guard while anchoring pass protection against premier edge rushers. His technique, anchor, and ability to handle long-arm power made him a steadying force during multiple playoff pushes. After departing Vegas, Eluemunor spent time elsewhere refining his craft, but a confluence of roster needs and scheme familiarity has set the stage for a timely homecoming. For the Raiders—fighting to keep pace in a rugged AFC—this is about stability and fit. Injuries and week-to-week availability on the right side of the line have forced constant shuffling; protection packages have leaned heavily on chips and condensed splits to survive obvious passing downs. Eluemunor’s return allows the staff to plug him at RT or slide him inside at RG, restoring balance to protections and widening the run-game menu (duo, inside zone, and the toss/ pin-pull that Vegas fans love when the edge is sealed). “Jermaine knows who we are and how we want to play,” a team source said. “He brings ballast. Assignment sound, physical, and smart—he raises the floor for the entire unit.” Beyond the X’s and O’s, there’s an unmistakable emotional charge to this reunion. Eluemunor was a locker-room favorite in his previous stint—professional, detail-driven, and accountable. The belief internally is that his presence stabilizes communication on the right side (IDs, slides, and pass-off rules vs. games and simulated pressures), which in turn unlocks more vertical concepts and keeps the quarterback cleaner late in games. On social media, Raider Nation lit up the timeline with a simple refrain: “Welcome back, Jem.” Many fans called the deal the exact kind of “rival-poach, ready-to-play” move a contender makes in October: low friction, high impact, zero learning curve. What it means on the field (immediately): Pass pro: Fewer emergency chips, more five-out releases—OC can re-open deeper intermediate shots without living in max-protect. Run game: Better edge control on toss/duo; more confidence running to the right on money downs. Depth & versatility: One injury doesn’t force a cascade of position changes; Eluemunor can cover two spots with starting-level competency. The timetable? Swift. Because Eluemunor already speaks the language—terminology, splits, cadence rules—he could suit up as early as this weekend if the medicals/check-ins continue to trend positive. The message is clear: the Raiders aren’t waiting around for the line to gel—they’re engineering it. If Jermaine Eluemunor plays to his Raider résumé, this reunion could be the precise mid-season jolt that steadies the offense and keeps the Silver & Black firmly in the postseason race. Raider Nation, the question writes itself: Plug-and-play stopgap—or the catalyst that reclaims the right side