The Buffalo Bills' opening game vs. the Houston Texans is on Sunday, September 13th at 1:00 pm. While that is still over a week away, the team has some final changes to make before kickoff. This past Thursday, the Bills brought in seven players to try out and see where they may fit on their roster, per Jon Scott of WGRZ.
Of those seven players, six were on the defensive side of the ball, and the one offensive player didn't meet the Bills' expectations. As for the defensive side, let's take a look at four of the six players who could shore up the defensive/nose tackle position for their aggressive 3-4 multiple defense.
4 players who could help defense going forward
1.) DT/NT Jay Toia
If the Bills want to feel confident with a true athlete at the nose tackle position, they may want to consider Jay Toia to strengthen their line. The 6-foot-2, 340-pound run stuffer was previously drafted by the Dallas Cowboys. He shows promise for this role, as the team's transition to an aggressive 3-4 multiple scheme would help him make the 53-man roster at the nose tackle position.
If he were to make the Bills roster, he could definitely plug in right away at nose tackle, and then they could move Deone Walker to an outside defensive tackle slot.
He wouldn't cost much to sign, and it would make Bills fans feel slightly better about passing on Kayden McDonald, who's now starting with the Houston Texans.
2.) DT Earnest Brown
Earnest Brown is the most knowledgeable player in this group. He is very fast, has a quick motor, and has a powerful ability to sack the quarterback and stop the run. The 6-foot-5, 295-pound athlete was a fifth-round pick in 2021 by the Los Angeles Rams, underscoring his journey in the league.
He has played in 15 career games and made 14 tackles, including one tackle for loss. The versatile athlete does have experience in an aggressive 3-4 multiple scheme from his time with the Rams.
Brown also has the versatility to play either inside in a four-person front or as an outside defensive end in a three-person front.
3.) DT/NT Fatorma Mulbahfator
While he has yet to play a down in the regular season, Fatorma Mulbah has the natural physical tools to play either inside in a 4-3 or nose tackle in a 3-4. The 6-foot-3, 314-pound athlete is a natural at stopping the run, and even if he only comes in to be a rotational run stopper. If he doesn't do anything else, he can single-handedly improve the Bills' run defense by leaps and bounds over last year.
In college, he played in 45 games and made 14 starts at both Penn State and West Virginia. He totaled 79 tackles (32 solo), 7.5 tackles for loss, and 1.5 sacks. His best season came during his senior year at West Virginia, when he played nose tackle in a 3-3-5 defense.
He made 50 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, and 1 sack.
4.) DT/NT Haggai Chisom Ndubuisi
Haggai Chisom Ndubuisi has quite the success story, making it through the NFL's International Pathway Program. He stands at 6-foot 6, 298 pounds, with very quick feet and an instinct for pursuing the ball.
He started as an offensive tackle, but then scouts noticed he had very quick feet, which might be a better use of his skill set on defense. He can play inside in a four-person front or outside as a nose tackle in a 3-man front.
He had a brief stint as a starter for the UFL's San Antonio Brahmas. Still, before that, he was on the practice squads of the Arizona Cardinals, Denver Broncos, and Washington Commanders.
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