Buffalo Bills Positional Needs Heading Into Draft

Defensive Front Seven

Let’s take a look at the defensive front seven now. For defensive positions, we will write about the defensive line and linebackers as their position is listed on the team’s website even though some of the defensive line may end up playing roles more similar to that of a linebacker.

Defensive Line – The reason why we are writing about defensive line as one unit rather than discussing ends versus tackles is because the Bills have multiple options on the defensive side of the ball next season in their 3-4 base. Marcell Dareus is the favorite right now to play the typical nose tackle role in Rex Ryan’s defense with Kyle Williams the next most likely option. If the Bills draft one of the big boys at defensive tackle early on in the draft they also have the option of making that player the nose and using Williams and Dareus as ends instead. Jerry Hughes will be used effectively as a pass rusher on most downs but that will most likely be coming from a “linebacker” position. The Bills have many other players listed on their roster including tackles T.J. Barnes, Corbin Bryant, and Jerel Worthy. The other ends they have on the roster include Lavar Edwards, Manny Lawson, and Cedric Reed.

Linebacker – Linebacker is a major area of need for the Bills since it was one of their worst performing units last season. On top of that, they lost a couple of players this offseason for various reasons. The Bills opted not to extend a tender offer to Ty Powell, free agent Nigel Bradham left Buffalo and signed with the Philadelphia Eagles and would be second-year linebacker A.J. Tarpley recently retired from the NFL due to health concerns. The team did add two linebackers to the roster this offseason in Zach Brown and Lorenzo Alexander.  The other linebackers on the roster are Max Valles, Jairus Wynn, Preston Brown, IK Enemkpali, Randell Johnson and Kevin Reddick. The Bills still need to add more talent in the draft if they want to improve upon last season’s poor play at the position. Look for them to add one linebacker at a minimum.

Now let’s take a look at the secondary as well as the Bills punter situation.

Next: What About The Secondary?