Predicting the 2020 Buffalo Bills Depth Chart: Defensive Tackle

Starter: Ed Oliver

Last year’s first round pick was surrounded with controversy in the offseason due to his arrest for a DWI and an unlawful carrying of a gun. However, Oliver received good news this week when the charges were dismissed, and the tests showed no signs of any substances in his system.

Now with nothing in Oliver’s way, he is primed for a breakout season after Jordan Phillips left and he will now be getting the lion’s share of the snaps. With Quinton Jefferson as his backup, the Bills should have a lot of flexibility on the interior. Oliver played nose tackle during his days in college at the University of Houston and while he won’t be playing that position much in the NFL, he can play it on passing downs where rather than having a typical one-technique at the position.

The University of Houston product had a solid rookie season, and showed some of the talent that made him a Top 10 selection. Despite not having great box score stats, Oliver placed 7th among all defensive tackles in pass rush win rate, a metric ran by ESPN where he was 15%. Playing all 16 games, with 5 sacks, along with a breakout game in his home state on thanksgiving versus the Cowboys. Where he finished with 2 sacks and a forced fumble after eating up guard Xavier Sua-Filo: