Buffalo Bills: 5 players with the most to prove entering training camp
By Aaron Tully
Star Lotulelei
Star Lotulelei sat out the 2020 season due to concerns surrounding the global Covid-19 pandemic. There is absolutely nothing wrong with the decision he made, but it may have slid him down the depth chart.
In Lotulelei’s absence, Vernon Butler stepped into the second defensive tackle role and played at a decent level. In 14 games, Butler made 18 combined tackles, forced a fumble, made five tackles for loss, four quarterback pressures and did not miss a single tackle in 2020.
That type of tackling reliability up the middle is important to a defense, and Butler provides that for the Bills.
When Lotulelei last played in 2019, he registered two sacks, four quarterback pressures, and 19 combined tackles. Lotulelei missed 13.6 percent of his tackles in 2019.
Given their similar numbers, and Butler’s tackling reliability, it is hard to argue against Butler being above Lotulelei on the defensive tackle depth chart entering training camp in 2021.
Lotulelei does have value for the Bills defensive line, however. He is notorious for eating up blocks and freeing up room for his fellow rushers to get into the backfield. Despite that ability, he will have a tough battle with Vernon Butler.
Lotulelei is back with the Bills in 2021, but he will have to prove that he can do what Butler does, but better.