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Buffalo Bills: Best ways to address position needs this offseason

By Brandon Croce

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - SEPTEMBER 08: Buffalo Bills general manager Brandon Beane watches warm ups before the game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on September 8, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Buffalo defeats New York 17-16. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - SEPTEMBER 08: Buffalo Bills general manager Brandon Beane watches warm ups before the game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on September 8, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Buffalo defeats New York 17-16. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images) /
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ORCHARD PARK, NY – DECEMBER 08: Shaq Lawson #90 of the Buffalo Bills dances on the field against the Baltimore Ravens during the second quarter at New Era Field on December 8, 2019 in Orchard Park, New York. Baltimore defeats Buffalo 24-17. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)
ORCHARD PARK, NY – DECEMBER 08: Shaq Lawson #90 of the Buffalo Bills dances on the field against the Baltimore Ravens during the second quarter at New Era Field on December 8, 2019 in Orchard Park, New York. Baltimore defeats Buffalo 24-17. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images) /

Defensive End

On the defensive side of the ball, the Buffalo Bills desperately need more pass rushers. The team only has Jerry Hughes, Trent Murphy and Darryl Johnson as their top pass rushers and Murphy could end up being a cap causality this offseason.

The lack of depth, combined with the lack of production this past season, makes this a pressing need.

The Bills could look at free agency and spend big with a player like Jadeveon Clowney, a former first overall pick, who has the potential to be a mega star at the position. However, he hasn’t been able to live up to the lofty expectations yet in his career.

They could also look at some veteran pass rushers like a Robert Quinn, who isn’t at the end of his career but is on the wrong side of his prime. He will likely command a contract close to an average salary of $10 million.

In the NFL Draft, the fact the Buffalo Bills are in the back half of the first round means they will miss out on the excellent pass rusher Chase Young. Although there will be some interesting players like A.J. Espenesa and Yetur Gross-Matos.

If there is one strength of the position, is that rookies in the first round typically come in and make an impact right away. This past year, there was five defensive ends taken in the first round and four of them had 4.5 or more sacks.

The lack of depth makes this a tough position because the Bills are going to need to add more than just one player.

Best Solution: Similar to wide receiver, the Buffalo Bills will need to utilize both free agency and the NFL Draft. However, for the free agency portion the Bills should re-sign Shaq Lawson, who is coming off his best season in the NFL. He knows the system and could build off a strong 2019 season. This move wouldn’t stop the Bills from using their first round pick and go get a pass rusher like A.J. Espenesa.

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