Bills starting defense, some backups 2026 before fa/ draft

[gonzo1105]

58 minutes ago, GunnerBill said:

 

Oh teams would be interested. Value wise? The Commanders paid a 3rd, a 7th, a future 2nd and a future 4th and got one 4th back for Laremy Tunsil a year ago. He is the same age as Dion and a similar standard of player. I don't think the Bills would get close to that haul mysel... but maybe a 3rd or a 4th and a 6th... something in that sort of territory. I just wonder what the plan is at left tackle though if you do that. I like Tylan Grable a lot but he hasn't even proven he can stay healthy let alone hold down first team LT.

Yea that’s kind of where I’m at when it comes to the Trade Oliver/Dawkins discussion . Would it be smart to get out from their contracts yea probably and you’d get good value for both . But who’s replacing them? We trusting RVD for a whole season? Grable is injury prone. The draft for Left Tackles is not good at all and there is a strong possibility we also lose both Edwards and McGovern. 
 

I think Oliver would be the more likely to be moved because you can find short term solutions in Free Agency but we’d be eating a lot of money to do that. There are a lot more DT options in the draft 

[Chaos]

1 hour ago, GunnerBill said:

 

Oh teams would be interested. Value wise? The Commanders paid a 3rd, a 7th, a future 2nd and a future 4th and got one 4th back for Laremy Tunsil a year ago. He is the same age as Dion and a similar standard of player. I don't think the Bills would get close to that haul mysel... but maybe a 3rd or a 4th and a 6th... something in that sort of territory. I just wonder what the plan is at left tackle though if you do that. I like Tylan Grable a lot but he hasn't even proven he can stay healthy let alone hold down first team LT.

My reason to ask the question is because I don't think you get that much for him.  A 3rd and a 6th is not really going to move the dial on the defense.  Unless you have someone already on the roster you think is better than Dawkins, I don't think you make this trade.  

[Ethan in Cleveland]

Switch to a base 4-3. I'm assuming White will leave for a big contract elsewhere. Bernard contract makes him a virtual lock to be on the roster next year.

 

Draft needs

Edge in round 1 or 2

LB in in round 3 or 4

S in middle-late round

 

FA/trade

Re-sign Milano and Thompson

Edge (Bosa would be fine at the right price)

Veteran boundary CB not named Slay or Dane Jackson

OLB

 

Rousseau, Oliver, Walker, Edge (FA or draft)...Sanders, Carter, Hoecht, Jackson, FA or Bosa

  Gone - Epenesa and Solomon..Bosa probably too

 

Milano, Thompson, and Bernard can start.  I'm fine moving on from Milano or signing him to a 1 year incentive laden deal.  Bernard is moving to outside and can back up MLB.  Add two more OLB and Buffalo Joe can be your ST's guy and last to play MLB if needed

  Gone - Williams

Hairston, Benford, Bishop, FA.  Johnson is nickel for one more year. Hancock, Rapp, FA boundary CB, and rookie safety 4-6th round. 

  Gone: Poyer, Lewis, White

 

That's 24 players on D with Buffalo Joe the primary ST's guy.  I can live with Solomon as DL #10 to play STs but I would prefer to carry only 9 DL and carry an extra WR, OL, or even a 4th TE.  

 

 

Edited January 24 by Ethan in Cleveland

[TPS]

18 minutes ago, Ethan in Cleveland said:

Switch to a base 4-3. I'm assuming White will leave for a big contract elsewhere. Bernard contract makes him a virtual lock to be on the roster next year.

 

Draft needs

Edge in round 1 or 2

LB in in round 3 or 4

S in middle-late round

 

FA/trade

Re-sign Milano and Thompson

Edge (Bosa would be fine at the right price)

Veteran boundary CB not named Slay or Dane Jackson

OLB

 

Rousseau, Oliver, Walker, Edge (FA or draft)...Sanders, Carter, Hoecht, Jackson, FA or Bosa

  Gone - Epenesa and Solomon..Bosa probably too

 

Milano, Thompson, and Bernard can start.  I'm fine moving on from Milano or signing him to a 1 year incentive laden deal.  Bernard is moving to outside and can back up MLB.  Add two more OLB and Buffalo Joe can be your ST's guy and last to play MLB if needed

  Gone - Williams

Hairston, Benford, Bishop, FA.  Johnson is nickel for one more year. Hancock, Rapp, FA boundary CB, and rookie safety 4-6th round. 

  Gone: Poyer, Lewis, White

 

That's 24 players on D with Buffalo Joe the primary ST's guy.  I can live with Solomon as DL #10 to play STs but I would prefer to carry only 9 DL and carry an extra WR, OL, or even a 4th TE.  

 

 

This is a pretty good assessment. Some minor things: I wouldn't mind seeing DT Mathis back; Hopefully CB Strong will recover and add to the depth at boundary; thoughts on Crosby instead of Bosa?  

[GunnerBill]

59 minutes ago, Chaos said:

My reason to ask the question is because I don't think you get that much for him.  A 3rd and a 6th is not really going to move the dial on the defense.  Unless you have someone already on the roster you think is better than Dawkins, I don't think you make this trade.  

 

Yep, think that is right. 

[Maine-iac]

We went from Pettine (3-4) to Schwartz (Wide 9) and played defense pretty well.  Not so much the run but the pass anyways.  Then Wrex and his 3-4 to McDermott and his 4 - 3 and again outside of Ryan most of those defenses weren't bad.  A good DC can make decent players work in their system.    LB's can get expensive quick.  Resigning Thompson and Milano seems like an expensive prospect for what you are getting with injury history and age.  I'd take a LB in the first 3 rounds and have a (hopefully) day one starter on a rookie deal.  I liked McDermotts defense overall most of the time but one staple was that the DE's did not get home on a regular basis for whatever reason.  I would hope our new DC does not have that problem and Groot is under contract and if Bosa would run it back for 10 to 12 million I might think long and hard about that.  I know people are down on him but I think he's startable at that price and I think a different DC might unlock the DE position.  I'd get a big fat guy to play in the middle but that seems something you could do even day 3.  Look at Zeek Biggers from last year.  I think Beane has locked himself in to a WR very early in the draft unless he makes a fairly big trade.  I would guess first of second round.  Even if they do this I hope they double dip and do as early as possible (round 4 or 5).  We really need to throw a decent amount of spaghetti at the wall and hope something sticks.  

[colin]

28 minutes ago, Ethan in Cleveland said:

Switch to a base 4-3. I'm assuming White will leave for a big contract elsewhere. Bernard contract makes him a virtual lock to be on the roster next year.

 

Draft needs

Edge in round 1 or 2

LB in in round 3 or 4

S in middle-late round

 

FA/trade

Re-sign Milano and Thompson

Edge (Bosa would be fine)

Veteran boundary CB not named Slay or Dane Jackson

 

Rousseau, Oliver, Walker, Edge (FA or draft)...Sanders, Carter, Hoecht, Jackson, FA or Bosa

  Gone - Epenesa and Solomon..Bosa probably too

 

Milano, Thompson, and Bernard can start.  I'm fine moving on from Milano or signing him to a 1 year incentive laden deal.  Bernard is moving to outside and can back up MLB.  Add two more OLB and Buffalo Joe can be your ST's guy and last to play MLB if needed

 

Hairston, Benford, Bishop, FA.  Johnson is nickel for one more year. Hancock, Rapp, FA boundary CB, and rookie safety 4-6th round

 

That's 24 players on D with Buffalo Joe the primary ST's guy.  I can live with Solomon as DL #10 to play STs but I would prefer to carry only 9 DL and carry an extra WR, OL, or even a 4th TE.  

 

 

 

If the next dc likes the bones of the d I think this is a decent plan.  I differ in that I think Dorian Williams will get a big juicy look.  He's our fastest and most physical lb and without the overwrought trash MCD scheme I think he can flourish.  Bernard is stuck with that awful contract.  Getting shak again would be nice, but would he sign for another short cheap contract?  At his age I dunno if I pay him what he might command.

 

Also, I think we need to get better at nickel.  Johnson is cooked.

[TheyCallMeAndy]

On 1/23/2026 at 1:43 PM, billsfan89 said:

Bills defense has talent. Assuming you have a coach who runs a 4-3 type scheme the Bills can fit about 80-90% of the current defensive talent into most 4-3 or hybrid based schemes. Looking at the talent position group by position group. 

 

• Safety- Cole is a stud, you likely will have to find a starter opposite him and build some depth. Handcock and Hamlin aren't exactly great depth. Work to do but having Cole is a big positive. 
• Corner- Hairston and Benford are a very good duo to start with. Taron is still a capable vet if you feel he fits the scheme. Wouldn't mind seeing Tre White come back as a dimeback. But you got 2-3 good players here need for depth and development is there. 
• Linebacker- This is where a new DC is gonna do the most work. Bernard does not fit a ton of schemes as an every down LB but he certainly fits the mold as a coverage LB so any DC can use him on passing downs. Dorian Williams is a piece here I think most DC's could use but likely going to have 2 free agents and a draft pick in the mid-rounds added here.
• D-Line- Groot is a DE that fits most schemes, Oliver a penetrating pass rushing DT fits with what a lot of coaches like to do, Walker is a mountain of a man who will be a beast in any scheme, Sanders came on stronger to end last season so I think he fits in a D-line rotation in most schemes. Hoecht is insanely versatile but coming off a major injury so if he's healthy off the PUP he could be interesting in any system. 

Bills will have to overhaul the LB core and make tweaks to the D-line and secondary, but any coach should be able to take most of these pieces and make it work into most 4-3 schemes. 

I'll even push back on the LB core.

 

Bernard is a perfect WLB and I think that's where the new coach lines him up.

 

I hope we go out and invest in a real MLB, but I'm so intrigued by Dorian Williams in that role. While in a limited role this last year, he made some tremendous strides in coverage and has always been a good run defender.

[HoofHearted]

On 1/24/2026 at 9:38 AM, harmonkillebrew said:

Don't forget about Strong. I think he's Taron's replacement, who is past his prime and a candidate to be cut given his inflated cap hit.

Bernard probably fits better as a weak side OLB and Bills should probably draft a better MLB. Might bring back Shaq or Milano on the cheap for the other strong side OLB and for continuity. But probably depends if next DC also wants to run a nickel base (I hope not)

The Bills had one of the lowest usages of Nickel this year in the entire league. Whoever is brought in a base nickel isn’t going to disappear. Front structures and coverages are what you want to be looking at.

[HoofHearted]

22 hours ago, Maine-iac said:

We went from Pettine (3-4) to Schwartz (Wide 9) and played defense pretty well.  Not so much the run but the pass anyways.  Then Wrex and his 3-4 to McDermott and his 4 - 3 and again outside of Ryan most of those defenses weren't bad.  A good DC can make decent players work in their system.    LB's can get expensive quick.  Resigning Thompson and Milano seems like an expensive prospect for what you are getting with injury history and age.  I'd take a LB in the first 3 rounds and have a (hopefully) day one starter on a rookie deal.  I liked McDermotts defense overall most of the time but one staple was that the DE's did not get home on a regular basis for whatever reason.  I would hope our new DC does not have that problem and Groot is under contract and if Bosa would run it back for 10 to 12 million I might think long and hard about that.  I know people are down on him but I think he's startable at that price and I think a different DC might unlock the DE position.  I'd get a big fat guy to play in the middle but that seems something you could do even day 3.  Look at Zeek Biggers from last year.  I think Beane has locked himself in to a WR very early in the draft unless he makes a fairly big trade.  I would guess first of second round.  Even if they do this I hope they double dip and do as early as possible (round 4 or 5).  We really need to throw a decent amount of spaghetti at the wall and hope something sticks.  

Lack of pass rush from a defensive end position is a personnel issue not a scheme issue. We have zero twitch or ability to bend at that position currently on the team.

[gonzo1105]

46 minutes ago, TheyCallMeAndy said:

I'll even push back on the LB core.

 

Bernard is a perfect WLB and I think that's where the new coach lines him up.

 

I hope we go out and invest in a real MLB, but I'm so intrigued by Dorian Williams in that role. While in a limited role this last year, he made some tremendous strides in coverage and has always been a good run defender.

Terell Bernard is not a perfect Will in a 4-3. The Will has to be able to cover a lot of ground on the field and Bernard isn’t exactly quick. Yea I guess size wise he is the best fit but he doesn’t have great man coverage skills that are required for the position. He has an albatross of a contract for a year so we’d probably be stuck with him for a year there but I’d be trying to replace him as soon as possible 

[Maine-iac]

12 minutes ago, HoofHearted said:

Lack of pass rush from a defensive end position is a personnel issue not a scheme issue. We have zero twitch or ability to bend at that position currently on the team.

While I don't deny we have systematically pursued pocket collapsing type DE's the problem has been much more than personnel.  When you go 9 seasons and have only one DE make the double digit sack threshold it's also a scheme issue.  There are a number of coaches who can squeeze 10 sacks out of someone anywhere they coach.

[Maine-iac]

On 1/24/2026 at 9:38 AM, harmonkillebrew said:

Don't forget about Strong. I think he's Taron's replacement, who is past his prime and a candidate to be cut given his inflated cap hit.

Bernard probably fits better as a weak side OLB and Bills should probably draft a better MLB. Might bring back Shaq or Milano on the cheap for the other strong side OLB and for continuity. But probably depends if next DC also wants to run a nickel base (I hope not)

Strong played almost all boundry.  Given how many injuries we have out outside CB I'd be surprised if he moves to nickel.  Not saying it can't happen but has Milano implied he'd play here for cheap?  He's been making over 10 million a year and looked good through the playoffs.  Good enough I don't think he needs to sign anywhere for "cheap".  

[EmotionallyUnstable]

23 hours ago, Maine-iac said:

Bosa would run it back for 10 to 12 million I might think long and hard about that.  I know people are down on him but I think he's startable at that price

You’d be right that it’s certainly a startable price. His contract this year was around the 30th highest paid at the position, teetering DE2 territory. 
 

That said, I’m very out on this. Signing him to another deal like this, especially if they structured it like the first, just limits their roster and investment into the position. 
 

The need to get younger and healthier here. Already paying Groot 20M AAV, an aging and injured Bosa, Hoecht and Jackson off major injuries, Solomon who apparently can’t play the position, already brings you to 5 and you’ve done nothing to help sustain the room or improve. 
 

Id rather get by with another guy, and hope that scheme helps bring out the best in a younger more inexpensive guy vs crowding the room with money expensive contracts, thus limiting the likelyhood they bring in cost controlled youth to the position. 
 

 

[TheyCallMeAndy]

34 minutes ago, gonzo1105 said:

Terell Bernard is not a perfect Will in a 4-3. The Will has to be able to cover a lot of ground on the field and Bernard isn’t exactly quick. Yea I guess size wise he is the best fit but he doesn’t have great man coverage skills that are required for the position. He has an albatross of a contract for a year so we’d probably be stuck with him for a year there but I’d be trying to replace him as soon as possible 

Respectfully disagree, he's shown the range and coverage instincts to be successful. Has been successful. 

 

[HoofHearted]

1 hour ago, Maine-iac said:

While I don't deny we have systematically pursued pocket collapsing type DE's the problem has been much more than personnel.  When you go 9 seasons and have only one DE make the double digit sack threshold it's also a scheme issue.  There are a number of coaches who can squeeze 10 sacks out of someone anywhere they coach.

What did we do schematically that hindered sacks then?

[billsfan89]

The D-Line has pieces particularly at DT they are pretty solid. Walker had a very good rookie year and with a full offseason to work on his body and his tape/technique I think he will be a Pro-Bowl caliber player. Oliver is a in his prime vet who is good when he plays. Sanders came on strong to end the season as a key rotation and depth piece he’s solid.

 

DT will likely need some backend depth and maybe a late round pick for development. But if they can bring in a lower mid level vet at DT and a 7th round pick prospect I think they are good there.

 

DE is rough but at least they have Groot there who is a good player. Beyond him it’s rough. Hoecht would give you some solid confidence if he was healthy but he’s not (at best starting the season on the PUP) and Jackson didn’t develop much last season and is hurt.

 

Likely I think you are going to have to at a minimum do the following along the D-Line.

 

1- Bring in a solid starting caliber veteran DE. The Bills need something solid stable and proven across from Groot.

2- Bring in a capable back end vet DT. The DT rotation just needs one more piece.

3- Draft a DE in the first two rounds. Bills need to try to find some pop early in the draft and solidify the position longer term. 
 

If they can do those things I think the will have a firmly better than average D-Line 

[Maine-iac]

1 hour ago, HoofHearted said:

What did we do schematically that hindered sacks then?

When all your ends read run to pass because your DT's are supposed to be penetrating pass rushers you spend more time processing and less time chasing QB's.  It can happen to any defense but when your DT's generally can contain the run it happens even more.  Add in your DT's don't actually get to the QB and you're worried about setting the edge for the run not only are you not getting around the corner as fast but no one is chasing the QB to you.  Maybe no one else sees it but I'm convinced if Schwartz is coaching this defense Groot has at least one double digit sack season by now.

[HoofHearted]

1 minute ago, Maine-iac said:

When all your ends read run to pass because your DT's are supposed to be penetrating pass rushers you spend more time processing and less time chasing QB's.  It can happen to any defense but when your DT's generally can contain the run it happens even more.  Add in your DT's don't actually get to the QB and you're worried about setting the edge for the run not only are you not getting around the corner as fast but no one is chasing the QB to you.  Maybe no one else sees it but I'm convinced if Schwartz is coaching this defense Groot has at least one double digit sack season by now.

All DL read the block of the OL in front of them and based off of that block is how they play. Drive step they know it's run - high hat they know it's pass. Guys don't line up pre-snap knowing they are going to pass rush regardless of what they get. It's all based off of what their key tells them. Our ball get off across the board is slow. Everyone on this defensive line has a bull rush and that's about it other than Ed and Bosa - Von did when he was here. Outside of that you have a bunch of guys with little twitch who just engage and condense the pocket with long arms. There's no bend out of anyone to run the hoop. It's a personnel issue - not a scheme issue.

[Maine-iac]

1 minute ago, HoofHearted said:

All DL read the block of the OL in front of them and based off of that block is how they play. Drive step they know it's run - high hat they know it's pass. Guys don't line up pre-snap knowing they are going to pass rush regardless of what they get. It's all based off of what their key tells them. Our ball get off across the board is slow. Everyone on this defensive line has a bull rush and that's about it other than Ed and Bosa - Von did when he was here. Outside of that you have a bunch of guys with little twitch who just engage and condense the pocket with long arms. There's no bend out of anyone to run the hoop. It's a personnel issue - not a scheme issue.

I'm not disagreeing it's a personnel issue.  Never said it wasn't.  I still believe we'd have more sacks from the DE position with a different DC.