Does the D line need a complete rebuild also?

[Socal-805]

 

The D-line may be the beginning of Buffalo's terrible defense, and looking at who is there, who can project if ANY of these guys need to be/will be kept:

 

o  Shaq Lawson - 1 draft pick.  Injured, not very productive and IR'd.  Too soon to start calling him a bust?  Being replaced by an undrafted rookie?

o  Jerry Hughes - He will be 30 y/o before next season begins, and his play has certainly tailed off per the stats for a couple years now.

o  Kyle Williams - He will be 35 y/o before next season starts!  Wow. 

 

How do you NOT begin a total rebuild here?  And Lorenzo Alexander will be 35 also.

 

 

FYI:  This new forum , I don't like as well.

[Bangarang]

Basically yes. Kyle won’t be here much longer and quite frankly he’s not good at this point. We need 2 starting DTs. Lawson isn’t good. He’s an edge setter and that’s really it. He’s not much of a pass rusher so. Hughes can probably stick around though.

[Socal-805]

2 minutes ago, Bangarang said:

Basically yes. Kyle won’t be here much longer and quite frankly he’s not good at this point. We need 2 starting DTs. Lawson isn’t good. He’s an edge setter and that’s really it. He’s not much of a pass rusher so. Hughes can probably stick around though.

 

He is not very good in coverage, so why was he taken so HIGH might be a good question as well now that he is 2 years in.

 

[Big C]

They will be addressing the DL on free agency and the draft, no doubt. DT is top priority. Hughes is good and Lawson may never be a complete, top-tier DE but he has value and still has time to work on his pass rush. If Lorax stays and we opt to use him as a pure pass rusher that might buy us some time to find a stud DE in the next year's draft, but too soon to speculate there.

[JohnBonhamRocks]

Close to it. Agreed that Williams is likely gone next year. Doesn't look like we have a starter at the other DT position either. Agreed that Lawson has been underwhelming, but doubt replacing him is seen as a top priority given the state of the rest of the roster. Hughes is a quality starter. 

[26CornerBlitz]

2 minutes ago, Socal-805 said:

 

He is not very good in coverage, so why was he taken so HIGH might be a good question as well now that he is 2 years in.

 

 

Coverage?  He's a DE, so who cares?

[Happy]

How does Eddie Yarbrough factor into future plans?  Still depth or could he move to a starting role?

[Manther]

8 minutes ago, Bangarang said:

Basically yes. Kyle won’t be here much longer and quite frankly he’s not good at this point. We need 2 starting DTs. Lawson isn’t good. He’s an edge setter and that’s really it. He’s not much of a pass rusher so. Hughes can probably stick around though.

Agreed.  So, yes we need a lot more help on the D line.  We need more than Hughes able to get to the QB.  So, if we keep Shaq starting (which may be fine even if he doesn't improve) we need a DT that can get to the QB (which is rare) or more blitzing.

 

So, I think we need more playmakers on the D line or linebackers.

 

Go Bills!

[Johnny Hammersticks]

A need, but not a need for a complete re-build.  Lawson and Hughes will be fine, IMO.  Lawson hasn’t been good as a pass rusher, but he has been solid against the run.  Give him time...certainly not time for the “bust” conversation.

 

Their greatest need on the d-line, IMO, is a run stuffing NT/DT (1 tech/3 tech) such as Vita Vea or Reginald McKenzie.

[zonabb]

Need a major rebuild of the front 7. At least 2 new starting LBs and 3 or even four DL. 

[SlimShady'sSpaceForce]

I'm no expert,  I just want to see them get some BIG bodies (with talent) in there.   

 

Do you miss Dareus yet?  I do.

 

 

[26CornerBlitz]

10 minutes ago, Happy Gilmore said:

How does Eddie Yarbrough factor into future plans?  Still depth or could he move to a starting role?

 

Rotational Pass Rushing DE is the role he's best suited for. 

[Coach Tuesday]

I wouldn't be surprised if Lawson was traded in the offseason and yes, they need to add bodies.

[Dadonkadonk]

The moment they traded Dareus the off-season strategy was set.  The entire front 7 needs an overhaul but DT and MLB is the priority.  Just watch the games.  They are running right up the middle ever since Dareus was traded.  I would prefer they sign a veteran DT and draft a LB and DE in the first three rounds.  LB can play early.  DT takes time to develop.  Lorax and Kyle will be gone. Lawson is fine at DE.

I would move Hughes back to OLB with Humber and Milano competing for the other spot.  Start the rookie at DE in the base 4-3 and move Hughes down to rush DE in the nickel and dime packages.

[26CornerBlitz]

2018 UFA DTs Listed Here: http://www.spotrac.com/nfl/free-agents/defensive-tackle/

 

Possible Target - Star Lotulelei

[norton20]

Need 2 DT's and one of the 2 with pass rush/collapse the pocket ability would help. Need pass rush from either a DE beside Hughes or a line backer as well.

 

The good thing I guess is if they can get the elusive "franchise QB" in the draft any other good pick they make  will address a need besides secondary and RB (and depth at either would help). (Right OT, OG, WR, LB, Dline,). It actually is amazing to me that they've won 6 games with the paucity of talent and depth they have on this roster.

[CuddyDark]

2 minutes ago, norton20 said:

Need 2 DT's and one of the 2 with pass rush/collapse the pocket ability would help. Need pass rush from either a DE beside Hughes or a line backer as well.

 

The good thing I guess is if they can get the elusive "franchise QB" in the draft any other good pick they make  will address a need besides secondary and RB (and depth at either would help). (Right OT, OG, WR, LB, Dline,). It actually is amazing to me that they've won 6 games with the paucity of talent and depth they have on this roster.

Good thing this draft will be thick with those kind of players in round 2. Bills should use both 2nd round picks on DT.

[keepthefaith]

51 minutes ago, Socal-805 said:

 

The D-line may be the beginning of Buffalo's terrible defense, and looking at who is there, who can project if ANY of these guys need to be/will be kept:

 

o  Shaq Lawson - 1 draft pick.  Injured, not very productive and IR'd.  Too soon to start calling him a bust?  Being replaced by an undrafted rookie?

o  Jerry Hughes - He will be 30 y/o before next season begins, and his play has certainly tailed off per the stats for a couple years now.

o  Kyle Williams - He will be 35 y/o before next season starts!  Wow. 

 

How do you NOT begin a total rebuild here?  And Lorenzo Alexander will be 35 also.

 

 

 

 

Good thread.  The QB rants have overshadowed this topic for sure.  When you look at the Bills roster, you realize they have a lot of needs throughout and they need their current young talent to develop into good caliber players. 

[LABILLBACKER]

Dareus gone

Kyle all but retired

Shaq is disappointing 

Jerry is not the same anymore 

I won't even talk LB'S 

The backup DT's are pure mediocrity 

We need help to stop the run. The run defense is bleeding out.  I like Wilkins and Hurst but we will need picks for the qb. 

[Tatonka68]

They could sign Star Lotulelei DT from the Panthers and draft His brother Lowell Lotulelei DT from Utah.

[vincec]

Yes. It's the core of the defense and right now it's pretty average and will only get worse when Kyle Williams retires.

 

I would go DT in the first round and DE in the second round (assuming the other first round pick is for QB).

[Dablitzkrieg]

39 minutes ago, 26CornerBlitz said:

2018 UFA DTs Listed Here: http://www.spotrac.com/nfl/free-agents/defensive-tackle/

 

Possible Target - Star Lotulelei

Yes, a "process" guy

[26CornerBlitz]

Just now, Dablitzkrieg said:

Yes, a "process" guy

 

Wouldn't mind seeing Dontari Poe in a Bills' uniform. 

[CuddyDark]

Follow along. Carolina traded Kelvin Benjamin to the Buffalo Bills so they could have cap room to sign other "more important" players in 2018. 

[Dablitzkrieg]

1 minute ago, 26CornerBlitz said:

 

Wouldn't mind seeing Dontari Poe in a Bills' uniform. 

Is he only on a 1 year deal with ATL?

[26CornerBlitz]

Just now, Dablitzkrieg said:

Is he only on a 1 year deal with ATL?

 

Indeed.

[Happy]

1 minute ago, Dablitzkrieg said:

Is he only on a 1 year deal with ATL?

http://www.spotrac.com/nfl/atlanta-falcons/dontari-poe-9821/

 

Looks that way

[CuddyDark]

3 minutes ago, Dablitzkrieg said:

Is he only on a 1 year deal with ATL?

Everyone in the league is against giving him long term deals. Hopefully Bills don't fall for it and he becomes nothing but fat and happy.

[uticaclub]

If only we had a generational talent at DT

[Kirby Jackson]

The DL means nothing until they get a QB. 

 

All joking aside, the whole front 7 needs a makeover. I would put Matt Milano as the most likely starter in 2018. I think that Hughes will be back but maybe not. Shaq probably starts but isn’t a difference maker. Kyle may retire. The guys next to him are just guys. Humber and Brown are free agents. There is a lot of work to do in the front 7.

[WMDman]

sign Star L in free agency

if we dont trade up draft Wilkins/Hurst in the draft

I like vea but with star hes kinda redundant and would like more of a pass rusher 

Lawson can develop and hughes will still be serviceable 

depth will be Cedric/Washington/Eddie and Davis

 

LB will still be an issue Id start Milano and draft Jefferson/Smith (again barring trade up)

Edited December 6, 2017 by WMDman

[Happy]

5 minutes ago, Kirby Jackson said:

Kyle may retire. The guys next to him are just guys. Humber and Brown are free agents. There is a lot of work to do in the front 7.

Hopefully Kyle retires.  Glad he is a Bill, but doesn't seem like there is a lot left in the tank.

Preston Brown should be back, at least for depth, assuming we get an upgrade...no?

Humber is so-so.  If he walks, so be it.

[BillsVet]

They'll need a much better pass rush and more mobile LBs if they're going to run McD's defense.  The DT rotation is uninspiring.

 

At the same time, they've already made over the secondary in their first off-season. I'd be concerned with putting more resources into the defense when, after the obvious need at QB, they could use help at guard, and WR.

 

They'll need every one of those 5 top-100 picks.

 

 

[Chandler#81]

30 minutes ago, vincec said:

Yes. It's the core of the defense and right now it's pretty average and will only get worse when Kyle Williams retires.

 

I would go DT in the first round and DE in the second round (assuming the other first round pick is for QB).

 

I think it’s gonna take both 1st’s -and maybe more-to land the QB of choice. Before any other position is addressed, we must have a QB. FA for D, Draft for O.

[Coach Tuesday]

What's the point of a good DT if there is no one to throw him open?

[ColoradoBills]

Yes, if 2-3 new starters is considered as a complete rebuild.

[BuffaloHokie13]

At this point we have 1 DT and 3 DEs under contract in 2018. Rebuild seems kind of inevitable, even if some of the depth is re-signed.

[BillsVet]

10 minutes ago, Coach Tuesday said:

What's the point of a good DT if there is no one to throw him open?

 

Not to mention the DTs need even better ball placement. What's the sense of checking down to a DT in the flat if the ball doesn't lead him? Those 10 yard gains will easily become 3 yard gains.

 

[Bleeding Bills Blue]

3 minutes ago, BuffaloHokie13 said:

At this point we have 1 DT and 3 DEs under contract in 2018. Rebuild seems kind of inevitable, even if some of the depth is re-signed.

 

Either an edge rusher or a good pass rushing DT to push the pocket is an absolute must.  Both will make a lawson/hughes/washington look a lot better stat wise.

[OldTimeAFLGuy]

1 hour ago, Johnny Hammersticks said:

A need, but not a need for a complete re-build.  Lawson and Hughes will be fine, IMO.  Lawson hasn’t been good as a pass rusher, but he has been solid against the run.  Give him time...certainly not time for the “bust” conversation.

 

Their greatest need on the d-line, IMO, is a run stuffing NT/DT (1 tech/3 tech) such as Vita Vea or Reginald McKenzie.

 

....any chance of or is a guy like Panthers' Lotulelei worth chasing as a UFA?........