Buffalo Bills: Predicting the 53-man roster following rookie minicamp

Defensive Line

Left End – Trent Murphy/Shaq Lawson

Defensive Tackle – Kyle Williams, Star Lotulelei /Harrison Phillips, Adolphus Washington

Right End – Jerry Hughes/Eddie Yarbrough

The defensive line is the position that has seen the most improvement throughout the offseason. Getting to the passer and stopping the run were two areas in which the team did not excel last season, but adding Murphy, Lotulelei and Phillips has impacted each of those areas. If Shaq Lawson can stay healthy, he could add support in both the run and the pass. However, I can certainly see Lawson getting traded if the right offer comes along.

Yarbrough may be a long-term option to spell Hughes as he gets older, and he had solid production last season. I think Phillips will certainly help Kyle Williams and keep him fresh while being a major part of the long-term plans for the Bills up front. Washington is a nice depth player with plenty of playing experience, but he was a Whaley pick and I could see him being moved out as well.

Linebackers

Outside – Matt Milano, Lorenzo Alexander/Ramon Humber, Tanner Vallejo

Middle – Tremaine Edmunds/Julian Stanford

Two of the three linebacker positions are set for the present and the future. Milano came on midway through the season last year and has become a definite starter. Edmunds comes in as an extremely athletic and versatile young player who McDermott will mold into an elite-level linebacker in my mind.

Alexander is still serviceable and a great veteran influence on a young group. The NFL is going more to a two-linebacker set and Alexander won’t be on the field a ton, so keeping him as the third starter will work for now. I believe by next season the team will find a replacement for him.