Stop me if you've heard this already. The Buffalo Bills have exactly one interior defender, Ed Oliver, under contract for the 2024 NFL season. Yes, we've talked a ton about this as we head into the offseason but rest assured, Brandon Beane will address this. It's anyone's guess how he'll go about doing this, but I have my hopes on how that comes about. Not that Beane calls me and asks what I think, but I'm going to share my opinion anyway.
First and foremost, re-sign DaQuan Jones to a one-year deal laden with incentives. Last season, both Oliver and Jones formed one of the top interior duos in the league until Jones went down with a pec injury. Even when he returned, he wasn't quite the same. Get these two back on the field together for one more go at it. However, Jones has missed time the last two seasons due to injury and he's 32 years old, turning 33 during the season. This is why the deal should be filled with incentives. This is also why I would re-sign Poona Ford. Buffalo will need some depth and I'd like to see what Ford can offer after a full offseason with the team.
The next thing is to take a defensive tackle in the coming NFL Draft. My preference would be a 300-plus pound man to provide power in the middle of the line and eat up blocks, the way Jones does. This helps to open things up for Oliver, Miller, Rousseau, and whoever else is rotating along the Bills' defensive front. Lastly, I would try to add another via free agency. Someone like a D.J. Reader, who weighs 327 pounds, or Austin Johnson, coming in at 314 pounds. The problem with Reader is the cost. Pro Football Focus set his average market value at more than $13.2 million. Sheldon Rankins is an excellent tackle as well but weighs around 290. Alright, let's get into a few of the available defensive tackles in the coming 2024 NFL Draft.
Kris Jenkins, Michigan
Kris Jenkins is 6'3" and weighs 305 pounds. He is a two-year starter at Michigan and is the son of former Panthers and Jets defensive tackle, Kris Jenkins Sr. As a junior, he posted 54 total tackles and 19 quarterback pressures. In his senior year, he played in nearly 130 fewer snaps but still managed 37 total tackles and 15 pressures. Over his final two seasons, he played over 900 snaps, lining up mostly as a 1-technique tackle but also played other positions along the defensive line and offers versatility.
NFLDraftbuzz.com has Jenkins with a grade of 86.5, ranks him the seventh-best defensive lineman in the draft, and 42nd overall prospect. Jenkins earned a grade of 82.7 from Pro Football Focus, the third-best defensive tackle available, and 58th overall. One scouting report states Jenkins is, "Good at reading and reacting to blockers' moves, doesn't get fooled easily, and holds his ground." He's currently projected as a second-round pick.
T'Vondre Sweat, Texas
T'Vondre Sweat is becoming a fan favorite and is a player the Bills could target in the second round. He would also be my choice in round two but will he be available? He's 6'4" and weighs an incredible 362 pounds. He is that mammoth of a man that the Bills need in the middle and would be a great rotational piece with DaQuan Jones in his rookie year, taking over full-time in year two. In his senior year, he recorded, two sacks, three QB hits, and 26 hurries. He also added six batted passes and 45 total tackles.
NFLDraftbuzz.com graded Sweat an 85.9, ranked him their ninth-best defensive lineman, and 56th overall prospect. Pro Football Focus gave him an incredible grade of 91.7 for his final year at Texas, ranks him as the seventh best interior defender, and 90th overall prospect. He played nearly 1,300 snaps over the last three seasons, playing at all three interior positions. even a little nose tackle as well.
DeWayne Carter, Duke
DeWayne Carter is 6'3" and weighs 305 pounds. He is a five-year senior with Duke and brings a ton of experience with him, including being a full-time starter for the last three seasons. He's logged over 2,000 snaps and 51 career games. During that time, he's played at least a few snaps at all five positions along the defensive front, A gap, B gap, over tackle, outside tackle, and even a few plays off the ball. Not only does he bring a lot of experience, but he offers a wealth of versatility.
NFLDraftbuzz.com gave him a grade of 83.7, ranked him their 20th best defensive lineman, and 99th best prospect in the NFL Draft. Pro Football Focus gave him a grade of only 70.0 last season; however, he earned an 86.3 in 2022. They ranked him their ninth-best defensive tackle and 102nd overall draft prospect. Over the last three seasons, he's totaled 14 sacks, 16 QB hits, 84 QB hurries, and 113 total tackles.
Leonard Taylor III, Miami
Leonard Taylor is 6'3" and weighs 305 pounds. As a junior at Miami, Taylor recorded 20 total tackles, with just one sack, but also 21 total pressures. He's projected as a fourth pick and his best collegiate season came in 2022, when he had 25 total pressures that included four sacks, adding 24 total tackles. Last season, he played a lot has both a 1 and 3-technique interior defender. Taylor has logged over 850 snaps over the last three seasons.
NFLDraftbuzz.com gave Taylor a grade of 83.0, ranked him their 22nd best defensive lineman, and 113th overall prospect. He earned a Pro Football Focus grade of 74.7 in his final season, ranked PPF's tenth best defensive tackle, and 109th overall player. In 2022, he earned a much more solid grade of 87.3 from PFF. I think he's a project player that could become a solid starter in a couple of seasons.
Maason Smith, LSU
Maason Smith is 6'6" and weighs 315 pounds. with that frame, he could put on a bit more weight and become an immovable object in the middle of the defensive line. He brings power to the field and runs with a high motor. He also made Bruce Feldman's Freak List, ranking him number 12, saying, "The former five-star recruit is one of the most gifted players in college football. In the offseason, Smith hit 19.5 mph on the GPS and can touch 11 feet in his standing vertical jump."
The biggest concern with Smith is the ACL injury he suffered in 2022, limiting him to just eight snaps all year. He returned in 2023 and played 582 snaps, and recorded 27 total tackles, three sacks, two QB hits, and 18 QB hurries. He's projected as a third-rounder, but his performance at the combine could vault him higher on team's draft boards. Currently, NFLDraftbuzz.com graded him 84.2, ranked as their 16th best defensive lineman, and 85th overall. Pro Football Focus gave him a grade of 65.3, ranked him 13th among the defensive tackles, and 133rd overall prospect.