Pressure on the Quarterback
This is a stat that goes beyond just sacks, which they ranked 12th this past season with 44 sacks. The focus for the Bills defensive line will need to be putting pressure on opposing quarterbacks, collapsing the pocket and quarterback knockdowns.
This past season the Bills ranked 15th in QB hurries with 58 and 20th in QB knockdowns with 41. When sacks, QB hurries and QB knockdowns are combined the Bills finish 15th in a stat called QB pressures with a total of 143.
It would stand to reason that if the Bills can get more pressure on the quarterback, he will have less time in the pocket and it will result in poorly thrown passes, interceptions or sacks. This could only help a passing defense that was near the top in the league.
The Bills did a lot this offseason to hopefully improve this with the additions of Mario Addison in free agency and A.J. Epenesa through the NFL Draft at defensive end and Quinton Jefferson and Vernon Butler at defensive tackle, two players who do an excellent job putting pressure on the quarterback from the middle.