Buffalo Bills: Players to watch in the East-West Shrine Bowl

COLUMBUS, OH - NOVEMBER 11: Binjimen Victor #9 of the Ohio State Buckeyes eludes the tackle attempt of Justin Layne #2 of the Michigan State Spartans to pick up additional yardage after a catch in the third quarter at Ohio Stadium on November 11, 2017 in Columbus, Ohio. Ohio State defeated Michigan State 48-3. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OH - NOVEMBER 11: Binjimen Victor #9 of the Ohio State Buckeyes eludes the tackle attempt of Justin Layne #2 of the Michigan State Spartans to pick up additional yardage after a catch in the third quarter at Ohio Stadium on November 11, 2017 in Columbus, Ohio. Ohio State defeated Michigan State 48-3. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)
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RALEIGH, NC – NOVEMBER 03: James Smith-Williams #39 of the North Carolina State Wolfpack reacts after recovering a fumble against the Florida State Seminoles at Carter-Finley Stadium on November 3, 2018 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images)
RALEIGH, NC – NOVEMBER 03: James Smith-Williams #39 of the North Carolina State Wolfpack reacts after recovering a fumble against the Florida State Seminoles at Carter-Finley Stadium on November 3, 2018 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images)

James Smith-Williams

The NC State defensive end has all the physical tools to be an excellent pass rusher out of a 4-3 defense in the NFL. He is 6’3″ and 265 pounds and for his career has eight sacks, six of which came in 2018.

The biggest concern with Smith-Williams has to be injuries as he has missed time in each of the past three seasons, and during his time with the Wolfpack played more than six games in a season once.

As for why the Buffalo Bills would be interested, he has the size and length to play the position in this defense. The team needs depth at the position with Shaq Lawson potentially leaving in free agency and Jerry Hughes on the wrong side of 30. A season or two for Smith-Williams as a situational pass rusher, spelling Hughes, could help him transition to the NFL with an eye towards a starting job.

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