After a few moderate signings during the opening days of the legal tampering period, the Buffalo Bills have gone to work. Late last night the team addressed their pass rush needs by adding veteran defensive end Joey Bosa. This morning they continued to chip away at improving their defensive line with the addition of former Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle, Larry Ogunjobi.
The Bills have reportedly landed the 6’3” 300-plus pound interior man on a one-year deal worth up to $10 million. It was reported as a one-year deal for $8.3 million with $8 million guaranteed. That means there is a built-in $1.3 million incentive Ogunjobi can hit to hit the $10 million mark. Bills general manager Brandon Beane was under criticism from fans for a slow start to new additions, but now he’s wheeling and dealing. He never likes to go into the draft with glaring holes along the roster and he’s overhauling the Bills defensive line ahead of it.
The now 30-year-old Ogunjobi was a third-round pick of the Cleveland Browns in the 2017 NFL Draft out of Charlotte. He played out the entirety of his rookie deal there, appearing in 60 games with 47 starts. He recorded 14.5 sacks, 180 total tackles, 29 tackles for loss, and two forced fumbles. He stayed in the AFC North joining the Bengals in 2021 where he had his best season. He started 16 games for Cincinnati, notching 49 tackles, seven sacks, 12 tackles for loss, and 16 quarterback hits.
For the last three seasons, he’s been a part of the Steelers' ferocious defensive line. In 48 games he’s recorded 132 tackles, six sacks, 15 tackles for loss, and 26 quarterback hits. He was also the Steelers' nominee for the 2024 Walter Payton Man of the Year award.
How Ogunjobi fits in Buffalo
There’s no doubt Ogunjobi played better in his time with the Browns and Bengals, the question is, was it a scheme thing? Both the Browns and Bengals run more of a 4-3 defensive front, while the Steelers roll with a 3-4 look. A 4-3 is generally more favoring to defensive tackles like Ogunjobi, who is a three-tech by trade. To get the most out of him, the Bills would seem a better fit to use him as a three-tech. That would make their depth chart at that spot, Ed Oliver, Ogunjobi, and last year’s rookie DeWayne Carter.
The Bills could opt to use him as a one-tech to pair him and Ed Oliver up, however, that would essentially just be using him as a space eater. Sean McDermott loves a heavy rotation along the defensive line so having multiple guys to rely on is always great.
However, the Bills still have a large hole at defensive tackle, especially at the one-tech. DaQuan Jones is still on the team, however, he didn’t play up to how we’ve seen him in past years. Former Bills’ and Steelers linebacker and current analyst had this to say about the new Bills defensive tackle.
I asked former Bills and Steelers LB and current Steelers analyst @dabody52 about Larry Ogunjobi. Here’s what he wrote back:
— Sal Capaccio 🏈 (@SalSports) March 12, 2025
“Penetrating 3tech. Not the most gap sound but will be a nice disruptor that could be a nice piece in addition to Ed Oliver. Productive player definitely”
The Bills’ defensive line scheme relies on good one-tech play and adding one in the draft seems like the way to go. There are multiple guys who would help right away, like Kenneth Grant, Walter Nolen, or Alfred Collins. The Bills didn’t hand Ogunjobi $8 million to not play him so he will be getting reps, and they could be creative in how they deploy him. While the Bills' defensive line seems to be in much better shape already, they could really push themselves over the top with a good draft.