Predicting the Buffalo Bills 2020 Depth Chart: Defensive End
By Daniel Bruce
Practice Squad: Darryl Johnson
In what will be one of the most difficult decisions the Bills will have to make during roster cut-downs, the decision at defensive end will be a tough one.
Johnson had his struggles during his rookie season, and that was to be expected from a seventh round pick from North Carolina A&T. Appearing in all 16 games, Johnson scored a sack along with 15 tackles and two tackles for loss. The rookie played some meaningful snaps on defense resulting in Johnson playing 22% of defensive snaps. After Week 8 though the Bills realized Johnson wasn’t ready to handle a bulk of snaps yet, so they removed him from the defense and let him focus on special teams.
A great special teams contributor, playing 66% of snaps and blocking a crucial kick in the Titans game, his value was felt on special teams.
The Buffalo Bills are trying to be contenders now and will tend to take the veteran known commodity over the young unproven talent, and that’s why Johnson will find himself as a practice squad candidate.
Practice Squad/Cut: Mike Love
Love appeared in three games down the stretch of the 2018 season with Buffalo and built momentum going into the offseason.
Having a solid preseason in 2019, Love was in a battle with Darryl Johnson for the last defensive end spot on the roster, but would tragically end up with a pectoral injury which would put him on Injured Reserve for the duration of the season.
The chances are slim for Love to make the roster, but if Murphy is cut he will have to compete with Darryl Johnson for the final spot again.
Practice Squad/Cut: Bryan Cox Jr. & Jonathan Woodard
Signed to a one-year contract in late April, Bryan Cox Jr. has played a total of 25 games in the NFL in a limited role over his first three seasons in the league having 0.5 sacks to show for it. He is nothing other than a camp body who could make a practice squad.
Next. Projections for Stefon Diggs in 2020. dark
Much of the same for Woodard, who has appeared in only appeared in 6 games for the Miami Dolphins in 2018 where he registered one sack. A seventh-round draft pick of the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2016, Woodard was signed to a reserve/future contract in January a week after being signed to the Bills practice squad.