As the Buffalo Bills prepare for the 2026 NFL season, Bills Wire will take a look at the most important contributors on their roster. The team has some cornerstone players who will be returning for another shot at bringing a Lombardi Trophy to Buffalo, and they'll have help from some new additions as well.
Leading up to the season, we will be counting down the top-30 most important players on the roster. We'll recap their 2025 season, look ahead to what they'll offer in 2026, and tackle the most pressing questions surrounding them this coming year.
Next on the countdown is Alec Anderson.
Background
Position: Guard
Age at start of season: 26
Experience: Third year
2026 cap hit: $2,500,000
2025 recap
Alec Anderson appeared in all 17 games for the Bills in 2025, playing 189
total offensive snaps and also being a key contributor on special teams. He filled in across multiple spots on the offensive line, gaining a spot start at right tackle in Week 13's dominant rushing attack over the Pittsburgh Steelers, and also starting at left guard in Week 18. He played 102 less snaps in 2025 than he did in 2024 when his primary role was the sixth offensive lineman in heavy sets.
2026 outlook
Anderson was named the Week 1 starter at left guard earlier this week, beating out veteran Austin Corbett for the role. Anderson has climbed the ranks and earned the opportunity the hard way. He was an undrafted practice squad player in 2022, then an inactive member of the 53-man roster in 2023, to finally getting his chance in part-time roles over the last couple years. Now, after years of gaining chemistry with his team and learning the ropes in the pros, he'll get his chance to start in between Dion Dawkins and Connor McGovern on the left side.
Biggest question: How will the first year go as a full-time starter?
The Bills brought in Corbett this offseason on a one-year deal to compete at left guard, and he was interchanging with Anderson for much of the preseason and training camp. If Anderson struggles, then the Bills have a solid backup plan, but Anderson has the belief in his teammates and coaches and finds himself in a favorable situation, being the only new piece to one of the league's better offensive lines.
When asked about the potential for more playing time following the end of last season in January, Anderson was already looking forward to getting a crack at a bigger opportunity, saying, "I think I'll capitalize on the opportunities that will be handed to me... I think I've proven that with my years in the league, being able to stick around and be able to play whatever role."
30 most important Bills of 2026
Check back as we continue the countdown on our list of the 30 most important Bills ahead of the 2026 season.
This article originally appeared on Bills Wire: 30 most important Bills players of 2026: No. 19 Alec Anderson
