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Around the Oline
Chase Lundt was the Buffalo Bills‘ first offensive player of the draft after waiting until the 6th round to select the RT. With his athleticism, the UCONN run blocker was seen as having great potential in the run game, but his weakness comes as a pass blocker. Now that the Bills have two solidified starting tackles with LT Dion Dawkins and RT Spencer Brown, they can aid in the mentorship of Lundt and help him become a quality NFL backup.
Coming into camp, Chase Lundt will compete with another former UCONN Husky, Bills right tackle Ryan Van Demark, who is heading into his fourth NFL season. Lundt and Van Demark were also teammates in 2021 and started alongside each other when Van Demark was starting at LT.
The Bills also have Travis Clayton, who spent time on the Bills’ practice squad last season. Clayton was the Bills’ 7th-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. The selection of Lundt in the 6th round this year puts his time with Buffalo in jeopardy unless he puts on a clinic in camp and throughout the preseason.
Lundt’s College Stats
Chase Lundt started in 49 games, which gives him a fair amount of experience as he heads to Buffalo. He was average at best in the passing game, but his dominance was in the run game, providing plenty of holes for Huskies RB duo Cam Edwards and Durell Robinson, who had a combined 1561 yards on the ground. The following statistics are available via Chad Reuter, NFL Draft Researcher/Analyst with NFL Media since 2011, as linked in Lundt’s draft profile below.
- 2019: Redshirted.
- 2020: School did not play due to COVID-19 concerns.
- 2021: Started 11 games at RT.
- 2022: Started all 13 games at RT.
- 2023: Started all 12 games at RT.
- 2024: Started all 13 games at RT.
NFL Combine
Lundt was measured at an outstanding 6 7 1/2” and weighed 304lbs at the combine and put up a respectable 20 reps on the bench press, which puts him tied for 15th among offensive linemen and 6th among tackles in this class. Dallas Cowboys 1st round pick G Tyler Booker had 21 reps, and Buffalo Bills current backup RT Ryan Van Demark had 24 reps for some comparison
Expectations
At this point in the draft, teams aim for players who can provide quality depth or players who have high potential but aren’t nearly as NFL-ready as other prospects. If they become a competent starter, then it’s a home run. That being said, the Bills have two solidified starters as mentioned earlier in Dion Dawkins and Spencer Brown, so they are hoping Chase Lundt can provide quality depth in the event of an injury. Thankfully, *knock on wood*, Dawkins and Brown have only missed a handful of games each through their careers, but better to be safe than sorry.
Lundt will have to beat out Van Demark if he wishes to make the 53-man roster. Although Van Demark has the experience, I like Lundt’s odds. I expect Lundt to not only beat out Van Demark but also start in 1 game this season and appear in 2. The start, likely in week 18 when the Bills inevitably clinch the AFC East, and could appear in another game in the event of a minor injury.
If you haven’t already, check out one of our most recent videos on YouTube where we discuss the Washington Commanders’ potential heading into this season!
