The Buffalo Bills may be getting a familiar face back onto their defensive starting lineup for the 2026 NFL season. Defensive tackle DeWayne Carter is planning on being fully healthy after tearing his Achilles tendon before the 2025 season even began.
With the NFL draft only being two days away, Carter may have some stiff competition if the Bills decide to draft a defensive tackle with one of their seven picks.
Carter speaks to former Bills center Eric Wood on recovery
While on a podcast called "Centered on Buffalo" Carter told Wood that his timetable for returning to training camp was this summer.
This news is encouraging for Bills fans. However, the team still has to evaluate his health and ability to perform in the new 3-4 defense that defensive coordinator Jim Leonard expects him to play.
How will Carter fare against other D-linemen?
Carter has the right to feel optimistic about his recovery. Still, he will have to face the reality of going up against T.J. Sanders, Deone Walker, and Ed Oliver, who are ahead of Carter in the projected rotation.
Despite Sanders missing most of the season with injuries, he improved as the season went on and will look to have a full and consistent season as one of the Bills' defensive ends in their 3-4 scheme.
He has the right size at 6-foot-4, 297 pounds, and a great motor to stop the run. He must improve at consistently pressuring and sacking opposing quarterbacks. Plus, in college, he lined up as both a defensive end and a nose tackle in South Carolina's 3-3-5 scheme.
As for Oliver, he has enjoyed a steady seven-year career as an undersized but quick defensive tackle with a motor a tad bit better than Sanders currently has.
At 6-foot-1, 287 pounds, he also has the ability to sack the quarterback, which he could do better in their new 3-4 scheme.
Prospects who they could take in NFL Draft
If, for some reason, Carter is once again unavailable to play at the start of the season, there are many rookie edge prospects the Bills can select until Carter is fully healthy.
Dani Dennis-Sutton - Penn State
In recent drafts, Penn State has become a factory of happiness for producing productive NFL pass rushers. Dani Dennis-Sutton is another one who would be considered a Joe Brady-type player.
At 6-foot-5, 265 pounds, the sturdy athlete has the power to shed off blockers and the motor to sack the quarterback. He's projected to be either a late first-round or early second-round pick, and it would be a nice pick if the Bills were to grab him at 26th since they do not hold a second-round pick.
Gabe Jacas - Ilinois
Gabe Jacas is a strong, physical man with a wrestling background. The 6-foot-3, 275-pound athlete has a strong motor for his size, allowing him to use his skills to power off linemen and bring down the quarterback.
Jacas is currently a 2nd to 3rd-round pick and has been rising on draft boards since Day 1. If the Bills want an immediate contributor as either a 3-4 edge rusher or 3-4 outside linebacker, picking him at No. 91 would be great value for the team.
Derrick Moore - Michigan
The Bills typically don't draft many players from the Wolverines, but now that Brady is scouting heavily on Big Ten players, he will hopefully be the first of many "Moore."
The 6-foot-3, 260-pound, pass rusher, is gifted with the power and toughness to play in Buffalo. Moore is a hardworking man who can probably bulk up to 270 pounds to become an NFL 3-4 edge rusher.
As there is already plenty of competition in the defensive lineman room, Carter faces a tough path ahead to show off his talents after missing all of 2025.
Now, all he has to hope for is that the team doesn't draft another DL, making the room even fuller and hampering his hopes of making the team.
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