Predicting the starters for the Buffalo Bills defense after the 2023 NFL Draft

Buffalo Bills Defensive Tackles

Starters: DaQuan Jones, Ed Oliver
Backups: Poona Ford, Jordan Phillips, Tim Settle, Eli Ankou, Brandin Bryant, Cortez Broughton, Kendal Vickers

Similar to the defensive end position, the Buffalo Bills brought back all four of the key players at defensive tackle by re-signing Jordan Phillips to a one-year deal. However, they made a notable addition that could have a significant impact at defensive tackle this upcoming season.

The Bills should continue with DaQuan Jones and Ed Oliver as their starters and they should see a slight majority of the snaps this upcoming season. The team does rotate frequently at the position so while Jones and Oliver are the starters, the snaps are split somewhat evenly with Jordan Phillips and Tim Settle.

The difference this upcoming season will be with Poona Ford, who the Buffalo Bills signed after the NFL Draft. He is an excellent run defender that should rotate with Jones as the one-tech that should help manage Jones' workload while also keeping Oliver as the three-tech. Oliver will then rotate with Phillips at three-tech and the player who probably sees the biggest decrease in snaps will be Settle.

The remaining defensive tackles may have a tough time making the 53-man roster but the Buffalo Bills would probably try to bring back Eli Ankou and Brandin Bryant to their practice squad, as both were called up last season at varying points.