The Buffalo Bills defensive tackle group is quickly becoming one of their strengths. As OTAs kick off and training camp closes in, the roster takes early shape. The initial bundle of DTs rolls over from last season, with a pair of notable faces added to the mix.
Name | Height | Weight |
|---|---|---|
Ed Oliver | 6-1 | 287 |
Deone Walker | 6-7 | 331 |
T.J. Sanders | 6-4 | 297 |
DeWayne Carter | 6-2 | 302 |
Zane Durant | 6-1 | 290 |
Phidarian Mathis | 6-4 | 312 |
Zion Logue | 6-6 | 325 |
Tommy Akingbesote | 6-4 | 316 |
The 2025 Buffalo Bills initially brought 5 DTs to the roster- We'll have to do the same here. The new 2026 Bills defense will be different, but the number of interior defensive linemen should be about the same.
Ed Oliver
Ed Oliver has been the Bills' most statistically productive DT almost since he was drafted back in 2019. He's undersized, the clear smallest of the bunch, but cannot be counted out as a penetrator. Typically lined up next to a big man, Ed creates one-on-ones and attacks the weaknesses he finds. It worked that way in a 4-3 for his entire professional career thus far, but that changes in 2026.
Though his role will change somewhat, Ed Oliver will still be the Buffalo Bills' leading interior lineman in terms of pressure and pass-rush opportunities. The 28-year old has a lot of football ahead of him, and came into his own last season before his injury.
Deone Walker
The 2025 Buffalo Bills draft class seemed to hit a home run with DT Deone Walker. The imposing, physical player is a dominant force in the middle of the defensive line, and should create waves for his teammates in 2026.
Though not the traditional nose tackle many fans expect of a 3-4 defense, Walker is a powerhouse who will enforce his will on the game this year. He plays a little tall, but his physical prowess and improved technique from last season will pay dividends. His role isn't that of a NT, like many hoped, but it's hard to take him off the field.
T.J. Sanders
T.J. Sanders lost part of his rookie season to injuries, but showcased plenty during his time on the field. He's a competent young player and a natural part of the new-look Bills defense. Though a little tall, Sanders has the range to draw doubles and eat gaps despite his pedigree.
He enters training camp with an inside track here, but Sanders will have to prove himself worthy. That third defensive tackle spot is up for grabs, but there's competition.
Zane Durant
The latest addition to the Bills' DT group, Zane Durant enters his first training camp as the unknown rookie. He's a promising young player, drafted late in the fifth round due to his physical limitations. The Bills have struggled to find consistent depth at defensive tackle, making Durant an apt investment.
He immediately projects to the be the younger Ed Oliver- The duo have similar build and comparable flaws. There are few scenarios where the two of them could be seen on the field concurrently, but Zane Durant will still see snaps as a rookie.
DeWayne Carter
This fifth and final roster position is anyone's guess, but for us it's DeWayne Carter. Since drafting Carter in 2024, the Bills have hardly seen him. In part due to injury, and in part due to fit, he's been unable to get on the field. In 2026, Carter looks very different. His current listed weight is 302lbs, but he reports to media that he's added close to 30lbs since then.
The gain is no surprise; DeWayne Carter needs to create a role for himself to make this roster, and becoming a true nose tackle is how he does it. At his new weight of roughly 330lbs, Carter suddenly adds value that wasn't there before. For that reason, he earns a shot at rounding out the roster in training camp ths season.
Cut: Phidarian Mathis, Zion Logue, Tommy Akingbesote
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