By Nick Wojton / Billswire.usatoday.com
The Buffalo Bills defensive line is the worst unit on the team’s defense. Having said that, it’s only because the other two have set the bar so extremely high.
The secondary has a top-five NFL cornerback in it with Tre’Davious White, and the linebacking group is anchored by two more young studs in Matt Milano and Tremaine Edmunds.
In all actuality, the Bills’ defensive front is pretty good. In some games, the group has been invisible. Others, they can’t stop hitting QBs enough.
The group continues to be anchored by 13-year veteran Kyle Williams. Despite his age of 35, Williams is still playing at a high level, notching 3.5 sacks so far this season. Could Williams continue to find the fountain of youth and return next season, too? This grouping also might have the team’s overall MVP this year in defensive end Jerry Hughes.
Hughes has always had an ability to play against the run, however, the team needed to get him some help for his pass rushing scenarios. They did. It’s working. Hughes has a total of 50 quarterback pressures this season and has 5.5 sacks to his name. He’ll likely end the season with his highest total since his 10-sack season in 2014.
To help Hughes, the Bills added three players to their defensive line during the offseason.
The biggest name was defensive tackle Star Lotulelei.
Known for taking up blocks, Lotulelei certainly does that. The Bills ranked 29th against the run last season, too. They’re currently ranked 12th (99.8 average). However, for the $50 million price tag that Lotulelei signed for, the Bills are probably hoping for a few more numbers than he’s provided. In 10 games, Lotulelei doesn’t have his first-career sack as a Bill and he only has eight total tackles. Still, as mentioned, he’s helping those around him.
The second free agent addition Buffalo made was defensive end Trent Murphy. He was supposed to be the pass rusher across from Jerry Hughes this season. When Murphy has played, he’s done that with three sacks so far this year. However, Murphy’s battled injuries. He’s missed multiple games and is currently out with a groin injury.
The opening left by Murphy has allowed former first-round pick Shaq Lawson a chance to prove himself and he’s done that. As the former No. 19 overall pick for the Bills, Lawson was drafted to get to the quarterback. He hasn’t done that enough in his career. A stout run defender that just needs to start bringing the pressure. To Lawson’s credit, he has recently and is starting to change the narrative about him.
In reserve roles you’ll find Buffalo’s third and final addition to the defensive line, rookie Harrison Phillips. Sean McDermott’s defensive puts an emphasis on rotating the defensive line, so Phillips does get plenty of play and he’s likely to see Williams’ role upon his retirement. Phillips hasn’t stood out as a liability at all in his rookie season.
In regard to Phillips, he could be in line for more playing time down the stretch if Williams is going to move on and retire this offseason.
Along with Phillips, Jordan Phillips, a recent signing via waivers and Eddie Yarbrough complete the group. Jordan Phillips has gotten into the backfield in his brief time with the team so far and brings a burst of energy to the defense with his attitude. Yarbrough doesn’t have a problem playing the run, but where he’ll want to improve is his pass rushing skills.
Here’s three awards for the Bills’ defensive line to wrap our bye week analysis:
Circle the Wagons Award: Shaq Lawson: After a slow start to his career, could Lawson’s career finally be on track?
Kyle 2.0 Award: Harrison Phillips: While he hasn’t had any mind-blowing plays, he’s been steady. If it goes according to plan, he’ll continue to grow into the next Kyle Williams.
Big Money Award: Star Lotulelei: He has a job to do which can’t be monitored with numbers, but for his huge price tag you’d like to see a few of them, at least.