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Buffalo Bills: Predicting the snap counts on the revamped defensive line

By Daniel Bruce

EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - SEPTEMBER 15: Trent Murphy #93 talks with Jerry Hughes #55 of the Buffalo Bills during warmups before the game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium on September 15, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - SEPTEMBER 15: Trent Murphy #93 talks with Jerry Hughes #55 of the Buffalo Bills during warmups before the game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium on September 15, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /
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PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – JANUARY 05: Quinton Jefferson #99 of the Seattle Seahawks reacts against the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Wild Card Playoff game at Lincoln Financial Field on January 05, 2020 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – JANUARY 05: Quinton Jefferson #99 of the Seattle Seahawks reacts against the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Wild Card Playoff game at Lincoln Financial Field on January 05, 2020 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images) /

Defensive Tackle (Backups)

The Buffalo Bills have a ton of versatility at the defensive tackle position, with Oliver, Jefferson and Butler.

Jefferson has the ability to play all over the defensive line and was an exceptional player for the Seahawks last season. He will add invaluable depth for a strong Bills defensive line in 2020.

Butler being the primary backup for Lotulelei, also has flexibility to play the three-technique to see snaps.

Quinton Jefferson

The primary backup at three technique, Jefferson should form a formidable duo at the position with the young Oliver.

Phillips who was the backup to Oliver last season saw 52.41% of snaps, look for Jefferson to have similar total to that.

Those totals won’t be accumulated just at the defensive tackle position, he won’t be able to have above 50 percent at the defensive tackle position due to Oliver seeing a jump in snaps. But Jefferson’s ability to play edge as well should add a good amount for the former Seahawk.

Jefferson saw 54.94% of snaps with Seattle last season which led all Seahawk interior rushers. This season should be different but still expect Jefferson to push close to 50 percent.

Vernon Butler

The expected primary backup to Lotulelei, Butler appeared in 39.96% of snaps last season and didn’t play a great amount of snaps at the one technique showing his versatility.

Now with the task as being the primary backup, but also could play some snaps similar to Jordan Phillips last season he should see about 35 percent of the snaps last season, which is a bit higher than the Bills fourth defensive tackle from last season in Corey Liuget.

Harrison Phillips

This is a tough one to gauge, as Phillips is just coming off of a torn ACL which ended his season after just three games.

Playing in 38.67% of the snaps in 2019, expect Phillips snaps to be hard to come by, especially with the additions of Jefferson and Butler.

Phillips’ hope of seeing snaps is by beating out Butler for the backup spot since Lotulelei won’t be cut by the Buffalo Bills.

If he is to play as a backup he could keep a similar pace to last seasons snaps, but might see a small dip because of Buffalo’s defensive line versatility with Jefferson and Epenesa playing snaps on the inside. A potential low 30s percent of snaps is foreseeable but anymore would be unlikely.

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