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Buffalo Bills: Top 3 takeaways for the defense from the 2020 NFL season

By Matthew Hodowany

ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 08: Taron Johnson #24 and A.J. Klein #54 of the Buffalo Bills celebrate Klein's fumble recovery with teammates during the second half against the Seattle Seahawks at Bills Stadium on November 08, 2020 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images)
ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 08: Taron Johnson #24 and A.J. Klein #54 of the Buffalo Bills celebrate Klein's fumble recovery with teammates during the second half against the Seattle Seahawks at Bills Stadium on November 08, 2020 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images) /
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Buffalo Bills
Dec 19, 2020; Denver, Colorado, USA; Buffalo Bills defensive end Jerry Hughes (55) recovers a fumble and runs for a touchdown against the Denver Broncos during the third quarter at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Troy Babbitt-USA TODAY Sports /

Defensive line performance

It noted in the preamble of this article that the defensive line didn’t hold up their end of the bargain, and that is true.

The 2020 Buffalo Bills defensive line was a far cry from some of the units fans have had the pleasure of witnessing in the past. Gone are the days of Kyle Williams, Mario Williams, Bruce Smith, Shaq Lawson, and Marcell Dareus, to name a few. Instead, fans were treated to Ed Oliver, Quinton Jefferson, Mario Addison and Jerry Hughes as the starters along the line.

While on paper at the beginning of the season, the unit looked like one that could hang with the ever-evolving offenses in the NFL, on the field, it proved otherwise.

Through the first eight games of the season and leading up to their bye week, Buffalo was exposed on the ground. They surrendering 200-yard rushing games on two occasions to the Kansas City Cheifs and the Arizona Cardinals. Additionally, the Bills allowed 100 rushing yards or more on four separate occasions leading up to the bye week, with five more following it.

With the 2020 season now in the rear-view mirror and the 2021 NFL Draft ahead of them, the Buffalo Bills needs to address the defensive line. Sitting at pick 30 in the first round, it is expected that Buffalo takes an offensive lineman. That said, there is plenty of defensive talent that can be taken at that spot to make the unit more economically friendly for Brandon Beane and Sean McDermott.

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