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AFC East Defensive Grades: Buffalo Bills need D-line to develop

By Steven Psihogios

Jul 28, 2021; Orchard Park, NY, United States; Buffalo Bills defensive end Boogie Basham (96) and defensive end Greg Rousseau (50) and defensive end Efe Obada (93) come off the field after practice at the Buffalo Bills Training Facility. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 28, 2021; Orchard Park, NY, United States; Buffalo Bills defensive end Boogie Basham (96) and defensive end Greg Rousseau (50) and defensive end Efe Obada (93) come off the field after practice at the Buffalo Bills Training Facility. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports /
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Linebackers

New England Patriots: 1

Buffalo Bills: 2

Miami Dolphins: 3

New York Jets: 4

New England overhauled its linebacker room this offseason, adding Matthew Judon, Raekwon McMillan, and re-acquiring Kyle Van Noy after he spent one season in Miami. Dont’a Hightower remains with the unit, and his veteran presence remains crucial to the defense’s success.

The Buffalo Bills were able to keep standout Matt Milano whose contract expired at the end of last season. Tremaine Edmunds will also be returning for 2021, and the hope is the 2018 first-round pick, who’s been good, can take a leap into superstar status by making more game-breaking plays in his fourth NFL campaign. A.J. Klein proved to be a solid depth player at the position in 2020. Sprung into action for 11 starts, Klein earned a career-best 5.0 sacks and 75 combined tackles.

Miami’s big LB addition this offseason was Benardrick McKinney, but the former Pro-Bowler is coming off of shoulder surgery and appeared in just four games in 2020. Jerome Baker and Andrew Van Ginkel will lead this group and it’ll get Vince Biegel back after he tore his Achilles last August.

The Jets slot in at fourth even though the squad will get C.J. Mosley back after he opted out last year. Jarrad Davis was added in free agency from the Detroit Lions, and he started 45 games for Detroit over his first four seasons in the league. Blake Cashman has proven he’s got what it takes to play in the NFL, but he’s been limited to just 11 games through his first two seasons. Staying healthy is a major question mark for the 25-year-old.

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