Buffalo Bills: Breaking down potential defensive line combinations in 2020
3-man front
A.J. Epenesa (DE), Star Lotulelei (DT), Vernon Butler (DE)
Another formation the Buffalo Bills could run out to confuse opposing offenses and try to create winnable matchups is a three-man defensive line, that can accompany either four linebackers and four defensive backs, or three linebackers and five defensive backs.
In these fronts, teams need to have size to anchor and hold their spot because now the defensive line is outnumbered by the offensive line. In the interior would be Star Lotulelei, who’s main focus here is to get at least two offensive line to engage with him. While it will be A.J. Epenesa’s and Vernon Butler job to set the edges. This then frees up the linebackers and defensive backs to fill lanes and run free to the ball carrier.
If there was one player who would be most excited about playing this formation it would have to be Vernon Butler. The Carolina Panthers shifted more to a 3-4 defense and Butler slid outside to defensive end in this formation. He went on to have a career year with six sacks and eight QB hits.
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No matter what formation the Buffalo Bills coaching staff elects to run this season, there is no question that they have plenty of versatility across the entire defensive line. The team is two, and sometimes three players, deep that they can rotate and keep fresh while tiring out the opposing offense line.