Depending on where you first saw it, you likely read that the Buffalo Bills signed either linebacker, defensive tackle, defensive end, or edge, Michael Hoecht. The Bills have reportedly agreed to terms with the now-former Los Angeles Ram on a three-year $24 million deal. The answer is also yes, he plays all of those positions so it wasn’t a wrong report you read that broke the news.
Hoecht is now the second player the Bills have agreed to terms with on the opening day of free agency tampering; the first was wide receiver Joshua Palmer. Just like Palmer, Hoecht is another under-the-radar guy that many likely don’t know much about.
Hoecht is coming over after spending his first four seasons with the Rams. He went undrafted in the 2020 NFL Draft out of Brown University and spent his first season on their practice squad. In 2021 he made the roster and stayed there ever since.
He appeared in 17 games as a defensive tackle but didn’t record too many stats. In 2022, the Rams moved him to outside linebacker halfway through the season after losing weight, where he notched 36 tackles, 4.5 sacks, four tackles for loss, and nine quarterback hits.
In 2023 he started seventeen games, recording six sacks, 81 tackles, 11 quarterback hits, and a forced fumble. All in all, over four seasons he’s recorded 13.5 sacks, 180 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, 26 quarterback hits, and two forced fumbles.
Hoecht is from Oakville, Ontario, and in a strange coincidence, is the second Canadian-born player the Bills signed on Monday. It’s safe to say he’s pumped up to be joining the Bills, as shortly after he took to X, (formerly Twitter), saying "Bills Mafia!!! I'm coming home".
How he fits with the Bills
At 6’4” 270lbs, Hoecht is an insane athlete. He graded out with a 9.93 Relative Athletic Score (RAS), running a 4.21 shuttle drill and 7.25 three-cone, while over 300 lbs at the combine. While he’s shown juice as a pass rusher, he graded out as PFF’s 20th-ranked defensive line run-stopper last season. It’s likely the Bills deploy him all over the place.
If Sean McDermott loves one thing, it’s versatility. Hoecht can be used as an edge, a defensive tackle, a linebacker, and can even blitz. It would not be a surprise to see them run more five-lineman defensive fronts. Given his athletic ability, defensive coordinator Bobby Babich could use him to disguise unique coverage packages as well.
For reference, think of how the Bills used Lorenzo Alexander under Sean McDermott. Hoecht has experience dropping into coverage and has done quite well for a player his size, even locking up wide receiver DK Metcalf (per Buffalo Sports Talk, Alberto Cantu).
While Hoecht is not the premier edge rusher that everyone was hoping for, he’s a really solid addition. He has untapped potential, is young, plays with a lot of energy, and is versatile. We’ll have to see how the contract fully breaks down, but it seems safe to assume it’s a good deal for both parties. It will not stop the Bills from adding more there via free agency and the draft.
One thing is for sure though, the Bills have guys they like who they believe fit their system and they go out and get them. Fans should be reminded that just because a player is not a household name or star, does not mean they aren’t a good player or can’t become one.
The Bills have proved time and time again they can develop and get the most out of a player, and Brandon Beane and company have earned the right to be trusted on who they bring to Buffalo. Hoecht’s athleticism and versatility bring excitement to a defense that desperately needs to add more playmakers, and it’s a fine start in rebuilding that side of the ball.