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NFL: Breaking down the 2015 Buffalo Bills

By Andrew Garda

Jan 14, 2015; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills head coach Rex Ryan speaks during a press conference as general manager Doug Whaley looks on at ADPRO Sports Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 14, 2015; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills head coach Rex Ryan speaks during a press conference as general manager Doug Whaley looks on at ADPRO Sports Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 7, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Marcell Dareus (99) tackles Denver Broncos running back Juwan Thompson (40) in the third quarter. The Broncos defeated the Bills 24-17. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 7, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Marcell Dareus (99) tackles Denver Broncos running back Juwan Thompson (40) in the third quarter. The Broncos defeated the Bills 24-17. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /

Defensive line

Starters: Mario Williams, Marcell Dareus, Kyle Williams, Jerry Hughes

Depth: Jarius Wynn, Corbin Bryant, Stefan Charles, Manny Lawson, Alex Carrington, Justin Hamilton, Jeremy Townes, Bryan Johnson, BJ Larsen (rookie), Erik Williams (rookie), Cedric Reed (rookie)

The front line of the 4-3 this team will run (hybrid of course) is about as good as any team’s in the NFL.

Mario Williams had hip surgery this offseason per WKBW reporter Joe Buscaglia, but is around for Organized Team Activities. He had 11 sacks in the first eight games but fell off the map after that with only two in the second half of the season. Could this have been the issue? The Bills are hoping so.

Marcell Dareus saw his contract extended this offseason, despite some off the field issues in 2014. His ten sacks that season showed he wasn’t distracted despite his issues, as well as being a great bonus for a nose tackle—a position which isn’t always sack-happy.

The aging Kyle Williams is still one of the best interior defensive linemen in the NFL, and has had 20.5 sacks in the last three years. He had a knee issue early last season but he shook that off and had a very solid season.

Jerry Hughes was considered a bust in Indianapolis, but that hasn’t been the case in Buffalo with the Bills proving that sometimes you just need a change of pace. Hughes has averaged 9.5 sacks per year in the two seasons he has been in Buffalo and recently signed a five-year, $45 million extension.

This is a tremendous front line and would have been great even without Ryan as a head coach. One thing Ryan seemed to lack in New York was an edge pass rusher and he has two in Williams and Hughes. The interior push will be fantastic as well.

Next: Linebackers

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