​In ESPN NFL Insider Jeremy Fowler’s latest league-wide survey of executives, scouts, and coaches about the Top 10 players at each position, Dion Dawkins’ standing at offensive tackle drew some attention. The Buffalo Bills lineman did not crack the Top 10, but he did receive an honorable mention, just like Dalton Kincaid. Fowler captured the sentiment this way: “A solid starter, plays with an edge, can be good in both phases but shows inconsistent effort.” I’m not sure I fully share that assessment, because I’ve never questioned Dawkins’ effort on the field.
Dawkins faced more scrutiny in 2025 after receiving widespread praise in the three to four previous seasons as he cemented himself as the team’s franchise left tackle. There seemed to be a subtle regression in his play, evidenced by the rise in his pressure-to-pass-blocking snap rate from 3.7 percent in 2025 to 5.8 percent in 2026. Yet this wasn’t a dramatic drop from the elite level of pass blocking he had established during his prime. Penalties were frequently cited as a sign of decline, but the regular season saw him flagged 10 times, compared to 13 the year before. Ahead of Dawkins in the Top 10 were several players who contribute at a high level on the edge, and the overall Top 10 looked strong to many observers.
Among the tackles rising in prominence, Trent Williams, who has long been regarded as one of the best in the league and still performs at an elite level, heads the list. For my part, I’ve long admired Wirfs’s ability to excel on either tackle spot; I consider him the second-best offensive tackle in the league today. His versatility and consistency are impressive, and I recognize the impact he can have on a game plan when deployed on either edge.
As for Dawkins, I don’t sense that he’s slowing down. At 32, he’s still in what many would consider the prime years for an NFL offensive tackle—an age at which many players maintain or even elevate their performance rather than decline. It’s worth noting that several other top tackles around the league remain in their mid-to-late 30s, underscoring that age alone isn’t a definitive predictor of decline for players at this position. Williams will be 38 in mid-summer, Johnson turned 36 in May, and Bolles is approaching 34; Dawkins has substantial mileage left and plenty of competitive years ahead.
If Dawkins can rebound to his typical pass-pro efficiency and maintain a similar level of play in the run game, his reputation—and the Bills’ aerial attack—stand to benefit significantly in 2026. Reducing penalties would also help, and I hope the refereeing crews recognize that Dawkins’s frequent “snatch-trap” technique is not a foul. His athleticism and energy have always translated into strong run blocking, and I don’t foresee any concerns there. If either Williams or Johnson retires after the 2026 season, Dawkins could very well merit a Top 10 designation in the following year’s survey.
How do you view Dawkins as he heads into the 2026 campaign, and what expectations do you have for his performance and longevity at the tackle position?