Buffalo Bills: 53-man roster prediction before second preseason game

Defensive Line (9)

Jerry Hughes (DE), Star Lotulelei (DT), Ed Oliver (DT), Mario Addison (DE), Greg Rousseau (DE), Justin Zimmer (DT), Efe Obada (DT/DE), AJ Epenesa (DE), Boogie Basham (DE)

Cut: Harrison Phillips (DT), Vernon Butler (DT), Darryl Johnson (DE), Mike Love (DE), Brandin Bryant (DT), Treyvon Hester (DT)

The most complicated and unpredictable group on the roster as there are some serious questions on the backend of this group. The good thing for Buffalo is that it is not due to a lack of talent. It is the opposite. Buffalo has the most talent on the defensive line since the Sean McDermott era started in 2017. It will be super tough to tell how many defensive linemen they will keep but there are some locks. Hughes, Addison, Lotulelei, Oliver, Rousseau, Epenesa, and Basham are all safe because of either their veteran status, talent, or draft status.

The last couple of spots are interesting. Harrison Phillips, Justin Zimmer, Vernon Butler, Efe Obada, and Darryl Johnson are the group of players competing for what could be anywhere from 2-4 spots. I have a feeling Buffalo will go light at Defensive Tackle because they have guys like Obada and Basham who can also play a little bit inside. It has become a popular discussion for many to have upwards of 10 players make the roster along the defensive line.

I opted for a more feasible route in having Buffalo only carry nine to have a more even and balanced roster. There is no good in having half of the inactive players each week come from the defensive line. In addition to that, it’s possible Buffalo could place some of the players they cut on the practice squad and call up if need be. There are difficult decisions to be made here but I think that some guys like Efe Obada and Justin Zimmer are making enough plays to unseat mainstays Harrison Phillips and Darryl Johnson on the roster.