Buffalo Bills: 4 defensive tackles to target at this point in the offseason

ORCHARD PARK, NY - AUGUST 09: Kawann Short #99 of the Carolina Panthers participates in warm ups before the game against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field on August 9, 2018 in Orchard Park, New York. Carolina defeats Buffalo in the preseason game 28-23. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images) /

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Aug 16, 2019; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers defensive tackle Kawann Short (99) on the field before the game at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /

Kawann Short

While Kawann Short doesn’t necessarily fit the type of player the Buffalo Bills would likely be looking for at the position, he needs to at least be mentioned due to the connection he has to the coaching staff.

Short was a second round pick for the Carolina Panthers in 2013 and spent his first four seasons under Sean McDermott when he was defensive coordinator. He would also spend his first seven seasons working with Eric Washington, who was defensive line coach from 2011 to 2017 and then defensive coordinator in 2018 and 2019. Washington is currently the defensive line coach for the Buffalo Bills.

Some of Short’s best seasons came while playing in McDermott’s scheme and had 11 sacks in 2015 and would follow it up with six sacks in 2016. However, Short has struggled with injuries the past two seasons and has played only a total of five games.

It wouldn’t be surprising to see the Buffalo Bills take a closer look at Short and bring him in during training camp to get a gauge on where he is as a player. He could be a veteran that could rotate with Ed Oliver as more of the three-tech defensive tackle.

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