Buffalo Bills swing tackle Tylan Grable just logged his first real NFL start in Week 8 at home against the Ravens, playing an absolutely wild 82 snaps. This wasn’t some end-of-season throwaway game either, which Grable had done twice before. This was the real deal, thrust into the lineup because star right tackle Spencer Brown is dealing with a back injury, a problem that has, unfortunately, plagued Brown for much of his professional career.
Stepping Up When It Mattered Most
The third-year pro, out of the University of Central Florida, wasn’t a total stranger to the field this season, having already made relief appearances for Brown in Week 5 against the Rams and again in the Week 6 victory over the Raiders. But 82 snaps? That’s insane! That’s more than he played in all of 2024 and 2025 combined, where he was on the field for fewer than 80 total snaps in each campaign. The recently turned 27-year-old stepped up big time, playing some steady right tackle, protecting Josh Allen, and carving out lanes for James Cook in that Week 8 win. It was a massive opportunity, and Grable seized it with sheer volume.
Pass Protection Solid, Run Blocking Needs a Jolt
So, how did he actually do? The charting metrics were pretty kind on the pass-blocking front. Grable allowed just two pressures on 42 pass-blocking snaps against Baltimore, which is solid work. Both of those pressures came in “true” pass-set situations, meaning no play-action, no screen, no chip help, and he faced 12 of those against the Ravens. That’s tough sledding, and he held his own for the most part. On the ground, James Cook found some success, toting the rock nine times for 46 yards (a healthy 5.11 yards per carry) on runs between Grable and the tight end, or between the tight end and outside the tackle box.
Now, let’s be real, it wasn’t perfect. Grable did get hit with the highest negatively graded run-block play percentage from PFF among Buffalo’s starting offensive linemen in this game, coming in at 13.2%. For perspective, his bookend tackle, Dion Dawkins, had a negatively graded run-block play rate of just 5.3%. So, yeah, there’s definitely room for improvement there. You can’t deny that.
Valuable Experience and Clear Upside
But here’s the kicker: in what was a respectable, if not otherworldly, performance against a tough Ravens defense, Grable got some incredibly valuable starting experience. The upside is undeniable. No, he might not be an All-Pro caliber tackle, but that kind of raw talent and willingness to step up under pressure? That’s gold in the NFL. He proved he can hang, and now with this experience under his belt, it’s exciting to think about how much more he can grow. This one game could be the launchpad for a significant leap in his game, and Buffalo fans should absolutely be keeping an eye on how Grable builds on this going forward.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Buffalo Rumblings.
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