Joe B (The Athletic) - speculates about the possibility of trading Ed Oliver

[dave mcbride]

Thoughts?

 

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7018668/2026/02/04/bills-dc-jim-leonhard-defensive-scheme/

 

"Which notable defenders could be the biggest question marks?

 

DT Ed Oliver

 

Oliver is undersized in any scheme, but there’s little argument that he’s better suited to the three-technique role from McDermott’s scheme than what the Bills could be switching to in 2026. Oliver played nose tackle in an odd-man front in college, so he has experience in that scheme. He wouldn’t play nose tackle in Buffalo, with his best fit probably being as a defensive end, though he lacks the length teams usually look for in that role. However, it’s best not to count out Oliver in any assignment, and the Bills won’t be locked into three defensive linemen on every snap. If they don’t want to try to force the issue, the Bills could likely get a nice haul on the trade market for an in-prime defensive tackle on a really manageable contract. They would also get some cap savings."

[JP51]

2 minutes ago, dave mcbride said:

Thoughts?

 

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7018668/2026/02/04/bills-dc-jim-leonhard-defensive-scheme/

 

"Which notable defenders could be the biggest question marks?

 

DT Ed Oliver

 

Oliver is undersized in any scheme, but there’s little argument that he’s better suited to the three-technique role from McDermott’s scheme than what the Bills could be switching to in 2026. Oliver played nose tackle in an odd-man front in college, so he has experience in that scheme. He wouldn’t play nose tackle in Buffalo, with his best fit probably being as a defensive end, though he lacks the length teams usually look for in that role. However, it’s best not to count out Oliver in any assignment, and the Bills won’t be locked into three defensive linemen on every snap. If they don’t want to try to force the issue, the Bills could likely get a nice haul on the trade market for an in-prime defensive tackle on a really manageable contract. They would also get some cap savings."

Do it.... I actually met him once.. really good guy... big contract... inconsistent, injured alot... not sure I think what we have gotten out of him is good enough... certainly not consistently dominant... if we can get a reasonable trade for him and try to up grade I am all for it... compounded by him being seemingly out of place in the new scheme... absolutely do it. 

[Success]

I love Ed, but this wouldn't bother me - especially if he's not as good a fit in the new schemes.

 

[Bruffalo]

I guess it depends on what you'd get in return. 

 

I don't see it because I don't think we'd get enough value to justify it. 

[BuffaloBillyG]

2 minutes ago, dave mcbride said:

Thoughts?

 

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7018668/2026/02/04/bills-dc-jim-leonhard-defensive-scheme/

 

"Which notable defenders could be the biggest question marks?

 

DT Ed Oliver

 

Oliver is undersized in any scheme, but there’s little argument that he’s better suited to the three-technique role from McDermott’s scheme than what the Bills could be switching to in 2026. Oliver played nose tackle in an odd-man front in college, so he has experience in that scheme. He wouldn’t play nose tackle in Buffalo, with his best fit probably being as a defensive end, though he lacks the length teams usually look for in that role. However, it’s best not to count out Oliver in any assignment, and the Bills won’t be locked into three defensive linemen on every snap. If they don’t want to try to force the issue, the Bills could likely get a nice haul on the trade market for an in-prime defensive tackle on a really manageable contract. They would also get some cap savings."

Seems like trading him now would be a poor choice. He's been hurt so his value is at an all time low. I wonder what his "nice haul" is that he is vaguely hinting at. I don't see a nice haul right now for him. But what I do see is a $9.2M dead cap hit if we trade him post June 1st. Not ideal. 

 

I'd rather hang on and hope he can show teams he can be healthy. Increase his value a bit. I don't think he would be all that bad as a 3-4 DE. 

[Bill from NYC]

7 minutes ago, dave mcbride said:

Thoughts?

 

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7018668/2026/02/04/bills-dc-jim-leonhard-defensive-scheme/

 

"Which notable defenders could be the biggest question marks?

 

DT Ed Oliver

 

Oliver is undersized in any scheme, but there’s little argument that he’s better suited to the three-technique role from McDermott’s scheme than what the Bills could be switching to in 2026. Oliver played nose tackle in an odd-man front in college, so he has experience in that scheme. He wouldn’t play nose tackle in Buffalo, with his best fit probably being as a defensive end, though he lacks the length teams usually look for in that role. However, it’s best not to count out Oliver in any assignment, and the Bills won’t be locked into three defensive linemen on every snap. If they don’t want to try to force the issue, the Bills could likely get a nice haul on the trade market for an in-prime defensive tackle on a really manageable contract. They would also get some cap savings."

I'm not sure what you would consider a "nice haul." Are you thinking as much as a 3rd round pick? Could we even get that? I'm not sure.

[Ridgewaycynic2013]

And the horse he rode in on?!  Balderdash! 😠

*
If the Bills cast him to the curb, I think Pegula should use some influence to get him a television show about an ex-NFL player who becomes a horse riding detective in the modern west.

🤠

[Kirby Jackson]

A post June 1 trade of Oliver gives you $15Mish of cap space in 2026. You’d have another $12.3M of dead cap space in 2027 but that’s not a big number with the cap being $320M at that point or whatever. I’m not advocating it but it’s an option.

 

I think that the Bills lack top end talent. Oliver is that at times. Now, if we are talking about including him in a package for another high end player or to move up? Sure. 

[4BillsintheBurgh]

I was thinking that he really didn't seem to fit this scheme but that maybe we could make it work with him at some position. Will be interesting to see if we keep him for culture or if we move him to try and get better.

[MJS]

Wouldn't he slot into that 4i position just fine? I don't think he would play nose. I don't think scheme is the issue.

 

But his trade value has to be pretty low right now.

[Andrew Son]

Doesn't help that he is coming off of a couple injuries.

 

Can't imagine the compensation would be much

[947]

I don't think he has the length to be highly successful in the new Defense as a DE. Maybe he could be "adequate", but we could get an adequate player for less than half what Oliver costs against the cap. If we could get a 3rd, I'd do it & draft a true Nose with the pick.

[Coffeesforclosers]

On the one hand, the 4-0-4 front doesn't need human phone booths in order to work. Or even a traditional NT. Points for Ed.

 

However, we need cap space, he's banged up a ton, and we should fast-track getting the right personnel into the building for the new regime.

 

So if Ed's gotta go, he's gotta go.

[thenorthremembers]

He either has to renegotiate his contract or get traded.   Part of the job of a GM is to look at the existing roster and decide who is exceeding, meeting, or falling short of their contract.   Ed has played 17 games in the last two years.    His cap hits are $24 and $25 million dollars over the next two years.   He is falling well short of what he is being paid.   I think the Bills made up their mind on Ed when they switched their defensive front.   I dont think Ed has the length to play the 4i in Leonhard's defense.      Unless he takes a significant pay cut he has to go. 

Edited February 4 by thenorthremembers

[BearNorth]

He ran a 4.73 40 at 280 # coming out of college.  Just wonder what the accumulated injury toll on his body is.  He has multiple instances of ankle and hamstring injuries, plus apparently the torn bicep is still not fully healed.  He has only suited up once for the full 17 game schedule in 7 years in the league.

[milfandcookies]

Cupboard is bare on defense and they are talking a lot about subtractions

[BRH]

People who know more X's and O's than I do (and that's many on this board), can you educate me as to why Ed wouldn't be a good fit at NT?  I know he's not Ted Washington or Sam Adams, but I remember Jeff Wright playing that position fairly well and I don't think he was as big or fast as Ed (even allowing for the relative growth of players over the last 3 decades).  Of course, it helped Jeff that he had Bruce Smith next to him and Biscuit threatening from the other side.

[zow2]

I would trade Ed.  Start over there.  I am expecting a slight regression in 2026 overall... do the best you can and maybe the more aggressive style defense can make up for some of the veteran losses.

[KOKBILLS]

[SoonerBillsFan]

I trade him at the combine.  He was brought in for McDermotts smaller DL setup, so he doesn't fit in any DL position we will be running. IF healthy, he is worth a mid to low 1st rounder, maybe more.  We need the draft picks, we need to replace him on the DL.

34 minutes ago, Bruffalo said:

I guess it depends on what you'd get in return. 

 

I don't see it because I don't think we'd get enough value to justify it. 

I did some research, Very in depth research...Ok Chat GPT and google, and it seems he is worth a 1at rounder IF he is healthy and I think he will be.