Buffalo Bills looking for more impact plays from key defensive players

Leslie Frazier recently said that the Buffalo Bills need more impact plays from two former first round picks.

The Buffalo Bills defense last season statistically took a step backward. Fortunately for this team, the offense made such strides forward that they were still able to be very successful as a team and earn a division title, two playoff wins and a trip to the AFC Championship Game.

However, for a defense that has as much talent as they do this is a group that has the capability to bounce back to being a Top 5 defense this season. For them to do that, they are going to need more from some key parts of their defense.

On Friday, Leslie Frazier specifically mentioned two players that are going to need to provide what he described as  “impact plays”.  These are likely game-altering plays in the form of turnovers or sacks at key parts of the game.

Those players were linebacker Tremaine Edmunds and defensive tackle Ed Oliver, two players who were selected in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft and 2019 NFL Draft respectively.

“We expect with their ability and the fact that they are two premier players for us on defense that we need those impact plays, those splash plays and they’re capable. Ed has done it for us in the past, Tremaine can do it. That would be the next step in their development to create those splash plays on a consistent basis.”

For Edmunds, he has only three career interceptions and two career forced fumbles but didn’t have any last season. He also has 5.5 sacks with only two last season.

As for Ed Oliver, he has only two forced fumbles over the past two seasons and eight career sacks. This past season the sack totals dropped from five to three but this could have been attributed to not having Star Lotulelei on the field and Oliver being asked to play more one-tech.

This season is important for both players as Tremaine Edmunds has only two seasons left on his rookie contract after the Buffalo Bills picked up his fifth-year option this year. If Edmunds can make more of those impact players, it could motivate the Bills to work on a long-term extension.

For Oliver, the Buffalo Bills are going to have to make the decision after this season about whether or not to pick up his fifth-year option. He will likely need to show more in getting pressure on the quarterback and ultimately sacks this season.

This is a pivotal season for both players and based on Leslie Frazier’s comments, the Buffalo Bills have high expectations for both players.