Offseason Priorities: Addressing the Defensive Line
Buffalo’s playoff pass rush and the Philadelphia Eagles’ performance in the Super Bowl made everyone realize the same thing. The Bills need to revamp their defensive line and have a better pass rush with four. Yesterday's release of Von Miller leaves the Bills with three defensive ends under contract: the recently extended Greg Rousseau, A.J. Epenesa, and Javon Solomon. Some intriguing options are available in free agency if that’s the path chosen instead of the draft.
The Bills return three players on the interior: DeWayne Carter, DaQuan Jones, and Ed Oliver. After letting three contracts expire at the end of the season, they need run stuffers to eat blocks and help Oliver get one-on-one matchups. Carter is expected to be Oliver's backup, but adding competition for him will benefit the second-year player.
Below are some players on the defensive line that I like in free agency and some that I view as higher-risk signings. I would prefer to see Buffalo stay away from the higher-risk group, so I highlighted three players I believe can be signed in free agency and immediately impact the team. I will use the Spotracs market value tool for each player's contract numbers. All signings are meant to be viewed independently as potential fits for the Bills.
Defensive Ends I Like
Dante Fowler - Fowler could be this year’s Leonard Floyd type signing for the Bills. He is coming off a 10+ sack season, his first since 2019. With a market value at just over $5 million AAV, Fowler would be a great signing to complement another big name addition.
Josh Sweat - Sweat became a household name with his 2.5 sack Super Bowl LIX performance. He has spent his entire career with the Eagles, which has given him the fortune of being surrounded by talent. With one season of 10+ sacks in his seven-year career, he hasn’t shown the high level production you want from a player whose current market value is just under $19 million AAV. If Buffalo needs to exceed that, I’m not interested.
Signed 4-year/$76.4 million contract with Arizona Cardinals March 10th
Chase Young -The former 2nd overall pick in the 2020 draft has struggled since winning the Defensive Rookie of the Year Award with the Commanders. Young will potentially be joining his fourth NFL team to start the 2025 season at the age of 26. This would be a signing based on potential and what could be. His market value is predicted to be $17.5 million AAV, which feels high based on history. Young’s talent with the Bills’ culture and locker room could be a good fit.
Re-signed a 3-year/$51 million contract with New Orleans Saints March 10th
Defensive Tackles I Like
Jonathan Allen - Allen was released in a cap-saving move heading into the final year of his contract this offseason. I don’t know what kind of money he is looking for, but this would be a splash signing and a massive improvement up front. Adding Allen’s ability to rush the quarterback and move up and down the line would add versatility to a group that needs it.
Signed 3-year/$60 million contract with Minnesota Vikings March 11th
Calais Campbell - Campbell continues to play at a high level as he enters his 18th NFL season. He hasn’t missed a game over the last two years making 34 starts, with 11.5 sacks, 22 TFLs, and 108 combined tackles while averaging 60% of the defensive snaps. His production and leadership make him an ideal candidate to bring in for one more season. Spotrac has his market value around $7 million.
Jeremiah Ledbetter - Ledbetter doesn’t have gaudy stats but he plays the run well and can be a good rotational piece in the middle for the Bills. He was 20th in solo tackles and 31st in stops amongst DTs in 2024 per PFF. Strong numbers for a player who was on the field for 37% of his team’s defensive snaps. With a market value of $2.6 million, Ledbetter would be an excellent signing value wise if the Bills plan on using their first-round pick on a DT.
High Risk Signings
Azeez Ojulari - Ojulari’s injury history is a primary concern for me. He has missed 22 games since entering the league with multiple injuries from a calf strain that plagued him throughout his rookie season to the toe injury that cut short this past year. Injuries could be the primary cause, but you would expect more production from an edge rusher lined up next to Brian Burns, Dexter Lawrence, and Kayvon Thibodeaux. The potential is there, but it’s too high of a risk for a player seeking $8-10 million AAV.
Haason Reddick - Reddick handled his trade to the Jets terribly. That situation should be an immediate red flag and not something that the Bills are bringing into their locker room. Reddick turns 31 at the beginning of the season and will likely be looking for another big payday. His market value is just under $12 million per year.
Signed 1-year/$14 million contract with Tampa Bay Buccaneers on March 10th
Milton Williams - Williams is an undersized DT that will be cashing in on a strong performance in the Eagles’ Super Bowl victory. Buffalo needs to add a large-bodied tackle on the line, not a clone of Ed Oliver. A rotational dept player looking for a starting opportunity after a breakout season isn’t the direction Buffalo should be heading towards. Williams’ market value also makes him a deterrent, with an anticipated AAV just shy of $18 million.
Signed 4-year/$104 million contract with New England Patriots on March 10th
Aging Veterans: Joey Bosa, Matt Judon, and Khalil Mack. Judon saw a significant drop off in his play with Atlanta last season and is not the player that he was in his first two seasons in New England. Mack would be a great story returning to Buffalo to finish his career, but he is predicted to bring in around $23 million AAV. Bosa is the youngest of the group but has a lengthy injury history and appears committed to playing with his brother in San Francisco. Mack is the one player from this group that I can see happening, but it would have to be at a much lower cost than what I have seen predicted.
Khalil Mack re-signed with L.A. Chargers for 1-year/$18 million on March 10th
Ideal Scenario
Sign Jonathan Allen, Dante Fowler, and Jeremiah Ledbetter. Fowler and Ledbetter should be low-cost options to offset Allen's higher number. I am a big fan of Ledbetter because of his run defensive metrics, and I like the pass rush capabilities that Allen and Fowler would bring. This trio and a couple of draft picks would be a significant upgrade for the defense.
