Buffalo Bills 2021 Offseason Position Preview: Defensive Tackle

The Buffalo Bills don’t have any defensive tackles from last year’s team that are free agents. However, that doesn’t mean there won’t be some changes at the position this offseason.

Let’s take a look at the defensive tackle position and what changes might take place this offseason.

Under Contract in 2021

Ed Oliver

Star Lotulelei

Harrison Phillips

Justin Zimmer

Quinton Jefferson

Vernon Butler

Brandin Bryant – Reserve/Future Contract

The defensive tackle position could in theory see very little change this coming season with everyone under contract. The Bills also could be welcoming back Star Lotulelei this season, who missed last year after opting out of the season due to concerns about the pandemic.

The hope would be a returning Lotulelei would be a boost for Ed Oliver, who has played well but hasn’t put the big stats that many thought he could when the Bills selected him in the Top 10 of the 2019 NFL Draft.

However, considering they already have seven players under contract it would stand to reason the Bills may be releasing some of these players. In a way to free up some cap space, players like Quinton Jefferson and Vernon Butler are at the top of the list.

While Jefferson and Butler did play well, the emergence of Justin Zimmer combined with improved play by Harrison Phillips at the end of the year, gives the Bills suitable replacements if the front office elects to go that way.

The last defensive tackle is Brandin Bryant, who spent the past year on the practice squad. He was called up for the game against the New England Patriots in Week 8 and had one tackle. The Buffalo Bills brought back Bryant on a Reserve/Future contract after the season.

Free Agent

None

The defensive tackle position is one of the few that the Buffalo Bills do not have any players entering free agency that was on the team this past season.