Could 2025 bring a top-tier pass rusher for the Bills?

The outlook for the Buffalo Bills in 2024 on defense, specifically defensive end, is a solid group. However, there isn't any big time name in that group that could strike fear in any opposing offensive coordinator. Hopefully Greg Rousseau develops into that stud that being a late first round pick in 2021 should warrant.

He is great against the run, one of the better defensive ends in the league against the run, but he could up his game this year in the pass rush production if he stays healthy. Unfortunately, that is optimism and not a definite. Then you have Von Miller, who is an aging veteran who looks like he could be in the last year or two of his career, depending on how he looks this season, and if he wants to play beyond this season.

Miller was working back from an injury that hampered his 2023 season. Will he look like pre-injury Von, or more like this past year? It's anybody's guess at this point, but it seems more likely he will look closer to pre-injury 2022 Miller.

Next is A.J. Epenesa, who looked good these past two years, racking up 6.5 sacks in each of the last two seasons. But in terms of big name threat, Epenesa doesn't seem to be that. He is a solid player who is a good contributor on this defensive line, but probably will never hit 13-15 sacks per year and be an absolute game wrecker. After Epenesa, it's up for grabs at who gets time as a depth option. Javon Solomon, who is a fifth round rookie, could be a potentially good pass rush specialist.

Again, this is potential and projection, and not a definite. Along with Solomon, Dawuane Smoot is going to be one of the rotational edge rushers for this line. When healthy, he produces similar numbers to Epenesa. Overall, as stated, this is a solid defensive end room, but not elite. Which brings us to the question: what does Brandon Beane and Sean McDermott have planned for 2025 for this room? There are several options here:

Free Agency

The Bills have spent a decent amount of money on this defensive line, but it is not quite where they want it to be. Enter free agency in 2025. With the players they lost this off-season, whether it be trading or cutting, they have freed up some money for the future, while also eating some dead cap space for 2024. One player mentioned earlier that the Bills could move from is Von Miller after the 2024 season.

This could potentially be a good thing given Miller's age and recent injury. There could be a hidden gem in the 2025 free agent class that Brandon Beane and Sean McDermott could be eyeing, or potential cut candidates as well. Considering where they would be in both cap space and how many draft picks they have for 2025, they could etch out a deal with a premium pass rusher to help this defensive line in the later stretches of seasons and into the playoffs.

NFL Draft

Free agency could be the way to go for these Bills, but the more savory option might be in the draft for 2025. Many draft experts have stated that the 2025 class could be one of the best for defensive end players with loads of top end talent. Just like how this previous draft was for wide receivers, there could be as many defensive end prospects that could go in the top 50 picks.

With Beane's propensity for moving up in the draft, and with the amount of draft picks he has acquired for 2025, he could be looking at 2025 as the year he finally gets his elite defensive end. This could finally be what he and McDermott have been looking for for the past four years.