Bills: Growing pains at right tackle

When the Buffalo Bills selected Seantrel Henderson in the seventh-round of the 2014 NFL draft they were believed to be getting a first-round talent who had fallen due to off-field concerns. Henderson made an early positive impression, overtaking second-round selection Cyrus Kouandjio during the preseason.

Henderson has found the going much tougher now that the real NFL action has started; his -19.1 overall grade is the second-worst among offensive tackles. He's struggled in both facets of the game, with -10.2 in pass protection, and -10.5 as a run blocker.  Henderson has given up four sacks, eight QB hits and 21 total pressures, giving him a 92.9 Pass Blocking Efficiency grade which ranks 55th out of 58 qualifying tackles.

It doesn't help a rookie tackle to be part of a struggling unit, nor to play outside of a guard with a -17.2 overall grade (Erik Pears), however the team does have an alternative in Chris Hairston, should they decide to make a change. Hairston, a fourth-round selection in 2011, has played both tackle spots, accumulating 1055 snaps in his first two seasons. His +4.6 run blocking grade and a 94.7 Pass Blocking Efficiency  in 2012 made him the front runner to start at right tackle in 2013 before injury ended his season. Now healthy again, he may be ready to pick up where he left off.