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2020 Preseason All-AFC East Defense: Bills and Patriots lead the way

By Daniel Bruce

PITTSBURGH, PA - DECEMBER 15: Levi Wallace #39 of the Buffalo Bills celebrates with his defensive teammates after catching an interception in the fourth quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers on December 15, 2019 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - DECEMBER 15: Levi Wallace #39 of the Buffalo Bills celebrates with his defensive teammates after catching an interception in the fourth quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers on December 15, 2019 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /
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FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – DECEMBER 21: Kyle Van Noy #53 of the New England Patriots celebrates during the first half against the Buffalo Bills in the game at Gillette Stadium on December 21, 2019 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Kathryn Riley/Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – DECEMBER 21: Kyle Van Noy #53 of the New England Patriots celebrates during the first half against the Buffalo Bills in the game at Gillette Stadium on December 21, 2019 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Kathryn Riley/Getty Images) /

Starter: Kyle Van Noy, Miami Dolphins

Kyle Van Noy decided to stay within the division and join his former defensive coordinator in Brian Flores in Miami. Van Noy can play some 4-3 inside linebacker but specializes rushing the passer from the outside.

Coming off a career year in 2019 with the Patriots, where he compiled 6.5 sacks and 3 forced fumbles, Van Noy will look to continue his rise in a familiar scheme. Van Noy also thrives against the run with a grade of 85.4 according to PFF, with a 83.5 overall grade. At 30 years old, Van Noy should have a few more productive years left in his career.

Van Noy shows surprising burst off the edge here versus the Carolina Panthers:

Backup: Jerry Hughes, Buffalo Bills

In a bit of an off year for Jerry Hughes finishing with just 4.5 sacks he still shows some juice off the edge and could see a spike in production this season.

Since the playoff game versus the Houston Texans ended in a loss many people rightfully show didn’t turn to gloat over individual performances despite a loss, but Jerry Hughes had a great game with 3 sacks. As an aging player in his 17th game of the season putting up that sack total means that Hughes still has plenty to give to the Bills.

Starter: Jordan Jenkins, New York Jets

Jordan Jenkins finished with an impressive eight sacks last season for the Jets and still only 26, is primed for a breakout season next year.

With Jenkins being the main threat off of the edge for the Jets, and adding Jubari Zuniga this offseason should create an interesting young pass rushing duo for New York. Jenkins also added 9 tackles for loss last season, showing he could get in the backfield and create havoc.

Backup: Mario Addison, Buffalo Bills

One of the newcomers to an overhauled Bills defensive line Addison has been a model of consistency over the last four seasons never sinking below 9 sacks.

Addison has familiarity playing under McDermott when he was defensive coordinator from 2012-2016 with the Panthers. Addison has also shown a proficiency to forced fumbles while sacking the quarterback, compiling 2 forced fumbles in each of his last 4 seasons.

Addison should start for Buffalo opposite of Jerry Hughes, but with such a versatile and deep Bills defensive line they will use a regular rotation, maybe taking a little bit of Addison’s production away.

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