Justin Zimmer
Last year, the Buffalo Bills added Justin Zimmer during training camp and at the time was just considered to be a training camp body. However, he showed enough to be added to the practice squad and after a few call-ups earned a full-time spot on the active roster.
He is a high-motor, maximum-effort type player and head coach Sean McDermott has talked about what he brings to this team during training camp.
"There's just something about him."
— Jon Scott (@JonScottTV) August 3, 2021
With all the talent on the #Bills DL it would be easy to forget a guy like Justin Zimmer.
Sean McDermott sure hasn't.
"It's to me no mistake why he's had the success he's had and why this team respects him for who he is."#BillsCamp pic.twitter.com/KZpWp5qUQH
However, with the Bills likely keeping more defensive ends, it could mean the team having less room at defensive tackle. At the top of the depth chart is Star Lotulelei and Ed Oliver and there are plenty of question marks after that.
The competition essentially comes down to Zimmer, Vernon Butler, and Harrison Phillips. When looking at these three, Phillips has played the best this preseason but is dealing with a knee injury and it remains to be seen how long he will be out.
As for Vernon Butler, he started for the Bills most of last season with Lotulelei opting out. He is a player that brings experience and can play both the one-tech and three tech. Also, if the Bills were to cut him, it would result in the Bills losing $750,000 in cap space so he is a player that is unlikely to be cut.
Whether or not Justin Zimmer makes the Buffalo Bills 53-man roster could come down to the severity of Phillips’ injury. If he is able to return before the start of the season, Justin Zimmer could be part of the final round of cuts.