Buffalo Bills: 53-man roster predictions entering final week of training camp
Defensive Line (9)
Defensive Ends: Jerry Hughes, Mario Addison, Trent Murphy, A.J. Epenesa, Bryan Cox Jr.
Defensive Tackles: Ed Oliver, Harrison Phillips, Quinton Jefferson, Vernon Butler
The defensive line is grouped together because of the versatility of some players but also because I believe the Buffalo Bills will keep nine but I am not sure what the breakdown is going to look like.
The emergence of Bryan Cox Jr. during camp is one of the reasons the Bills go with five defensive ends here. The Bills signed him as a free agent this offseason and while he recently was with the Cleveland Browns, he knows this defense well from his time with the Carolina Panthers in 2017 and 2018.
https://twitter.com/SalSports/status/1298290151265796098
However, the Buffalo Bills continue to look at defensive tackles and had four workout on Friday. This could be the team doing their due diligence or it could signal there may be concerns about Harrison Phillips’ workload. It is hard to imagine that is the case because the defensive tackle is coming off an ACL injury suffered in Week 3 but has been able to practice with no limitations.
Bills DT Harrison Phillips says he’s fully cleared for contact after tearing his ACL in Week 3 of the 2019 season.
— Marcel Louis-Jacques (@Marcel_LJ) August 17, 2020
Said today marked the 330th day since he’d put football pads on — his knee feels good but there’s still some football rust to knock off
If Phillips is completely recovered, combined with the versatility A.J. Epenesa brings at being able to slide inside to tackle, this should allow the Buffalo Bills to keep only four defensive tackles and still have enough depth at the position.