Whether on the red carpet as the ESPY Awards or in an offensive linemen workout video posted earlier this month, Buffalo Bills’ veteran left tackle Dion Dawkins looks svelte and ready
Entering his 10th NFL season, all with the Bills, the 32-year-old Dawkins has visibly lost weight in recent months. While he was last listed by the team at 320 pounds, the New Jersey-born bookend appears at least 15-20 pounds lighter than he looked in January
It’s not an optical illusion either with Dawkins proudly confirming the weight loss
“I’ll play the lightest I’ve ever played the game this season, since my rookie year #YouAlreadyShnow #NFL #lbs,” said Dawkins in a X post this week
Dawkins, a second-round selection out of Temple, was listed at 314 pounds heading into the 2017 NFL Draft. He played all 16 games as a rookie, establishing himself as the starting left tackle, alongside guard Richie Incognito, three weeks into that season, which eventually saw the end of the franchise’s 17-year playoff drought
One year later, the Bills drafted quarterback Josh Allen, and Dawkins has been his blindside protector ever since
“Every year, you put your body through different things, and I chose to put my body through a different thing,” said Dawkins during June minicamp. “This year, I got goals, and I want to be the best left tackle for Josh Allen and for my team and for myself.”
Dion Dawkins takes issue with Top 10 rankings
While appearing on NFL Network this week, the five-time Pro Bowler hinted that he’ll play with a chip on his shoulder in 2026 after seeing the latest offensive tackle rankings from ESPN
In an annual poll of front office and personnel decision-makers, Dawkins failed to crack the Top 10. We wrote about the results, which listed the Bills’ bookend as an Honorable Mention
“I’ve been walking, boxing, training, <a href="https://healthylife7.com/how-getting-a-garmin-watch-changed-my-e/” title=”How getting a Garmin watch changed my e”>getting this weight off, man, cause they’re trying to tell me that I ain’t Top 10. I had to tell them what, but I’m top top top. I’m top top top top. Whatcha talking about?” said Dawkins
Above all, however, Dawkins is working to help Allen get the Bills to the Super Bowl
“It seems like that we need all the pieces around him to continue to get better to help him get over that hump because if Josh is No. 1, he’s at his best, right?” said Dawkins. “If I’m not Top 10, or if I’m not at No. 1, that means that I’m not at my best, which means I have to do better. Everybody has to do better. So, we’re all going to be that and do that so we can get over that hump and we can be exactly what we want to be and stop talking about it.”
Why Dion Dawkins’s weight loss is important
First, Dawkins is no longer a young buck. In fact, he’s on the borderline of moving past his physical prime as an athlete. Improving his condition and trimming unneeded weight should theoretically make it easier for him to remain highly effective on the field
“If every year I’ve been playing at a certain weight, and this year I chose to play at a different weight. So whether it’s five pounds lighter or five pounds heavier, I chose to be different in body composition this year,” said Dawkins last month
There’s a thought that Dawkins’s performance could actually improve, considering the idea that he was playing too heavy over the past few years
Above all, the Bills need to keep Allen healthy, and a good left tackle is certainly a factor in that equation. By being in better shape, Dawkins lowers his injury risk and increases the likelihood of his availability for the season
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Published 17 minutes ago
RALPH VENTRE
Ralph, a former college football conference administrator, brings 20+ years of media experience to Buffalo Bills ON SI. Prior to focusing on the Bills, he spent two years covering the New York Jets. Ventre initially joined the ON SI family in 2021, providing NCAA Football Championship Subdivision for NFL Draft Bible on FanNation. Ventre remains as an official voter for the Stats Perform FCS Top 25 and the annual legacy awards. The Fordham University graduate is a member of the Pro Football Writers of America.
