What can we expect from the Bills defensive line this season?

The Bills defensive line has been a weak spot of the team for the last few years, and the front office was aware of it. The Bills drafted a defensive lineman in the first round in three of the last seven drafts. However, even with the fortified line, there has still yet to be a big impact or a standout player on the line who’s a threat to get after the passer every snap.

The weakness on the line came into the light against athletic QBs, especially Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs in the playoffs last year. The Bills constantly pressured Mahomes but weren’t able to bring him to the ground. When a play needs to be made in a big spot and you need a stop from your defense, the defensive line is usually who you look to first. We saw Aaron Donald bull rush his way to Joe Burrow on the last play of the game in the Super Bowl, forcing an arrant throw as he was dragging him to the ground. Unfortunately, the Bills lack that type of player. At least, they did.

Bills fans were calling for the Bills to go out and sign a pass rusher who was a difference maker and a solidified veteran in the league. That’s exactly what the Bills got this offseason by signing Von Miller.

Miller is a two-time Super Bowl champion with two different teams, Super Bowl 50 MVP, future Hall of Famer, and is looking to become the first player in NFL history to win a Super Bowl with three different teams. Hhe definitely has that possibility this year with the Bills.

Miller is the perfect piece to the puzzle for the Bills. The Bills mustered 42 sacks through 17 regular season games with Mario Addison being their sack leader with 7. Greg Rousseau and Ed Oliver both finished with 4. Those numbers are not going to get the job done come playoff time when you’re having to face elite passers such as Patrick Mahomes, Russell Wilson, Justin Herbert, Joe Burrow, and maybe even Tom Brady, Matt Stafford or Aaron Rodgers.

It’s clear that there was a huge need to address the defensive line, and now that the Bills seem to have the guys they need, let’s take a look at what we can expect from the unit on the defensive line.

Miller was quoted a couple weeks ago on working with second-year defensive end Greg Rousseau, saying, “it’s like polishing a diamond.” That’s music to the ears of Bills fans everywhere, as they’re hoping that Groot can be “that guy” going forward. Who better for him to learn from than future Hall of Famer Von Miller? Groot has the ability and freakish athleticism. He is very raw and just needs the right coaching and direction. I can’t think of a better spot for him to be in, learning from Miller firsthand.

We’ve seen Ed Oliver begin to make more plays over the last couple years. While I’m sure many of us were expecting a little more out of the 9th overall pick in the 2019 draft, Oliver is still figuring it out and has improved his play year after year. This offseason, Buffalo picked up his 5th year option. In his tenure so far in Buffalo, he has accumulated 117 tackles and 12 sacks. While these numbers may seem underwhelming, Oliver is looking very nearly ready to break out this upcoming season, as he knows his future with the Bills is going to depend on it.

Some familiar names are back with the Bills this season. Jordan Phillips was a fan favorite, mainly for his passion and energy he brought to the field each week in 2019, and it’s going to be great to see him back in the red, white and blue again this year. Phillips is coming back over after playing a year with the Arizona Cardinals. He’s rejoining former Bills teammate Shaq Lawson as well, as the Bills also signed Lawson to a 1-year deal this offseason. Both Lawson and Phillips will provide excellent depth pieces to this defensive line. They have familiarity with coach Sean McDermott and Leslie Frazier’s defense, and there is no doubt in my mind that they are going to be all in to win a Super Bowl for the city of Buffalo. Bills Mafia has once again welcomed them in with open arms and I can’t wait until they take the field again and we hear their names called.

Filling out the defensive line are new additions Tim Settle and Daquan Jones, who will be joining a unit that has youngsters on the edge such as Boogie Basham and AJ Epenesa. Epenesa has been pretty disappointing so far in his Bills career, and he has had to fight through injuries as well. Through 28 career games he has only recorded 2.5 total sacks and 28 total tackles. Epenesa will need to bring his game and stay healthy this year if he wants to stay in Buffalo long term. Epenesa has the potential and is another guy that could benefit a lot from the Von Miller training academy.

I’m excited to see this defensive line in action this year, especially Miller and Rousseau. I believe the mentor/student relationship will benefit both of these guys this season.

Ultimately, the Bills defensive line should be better this year. You don’t add a guy like Von Miller and have a group of high-potential young guns and not show improvement. We know the Bills secondary is going to be up to the task in being one of the best ball-hawking secondaries in the league, but the whole defense need to come together as a unit to be successful.