Fansided

5 offseason moves Buffalo Bills need to make to get back to playoffs

By Brad Berreman

HOUSTON, TEXAS - JANUARY 04: Josh Allen #17 of the Buffalo Bills attempts a pass against the Houston Texans during the second quarter of the AFC Wild Card Playoff game at NRG Stadium on January 04, 2020 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TEXAS - JANUARY 04: Josh Allen #17 of the Buffalo Bills attempts a pass against the Houston Texans during the second quarter of the AFC Wild Card Playoff game at NRG Stadium on January 04, 2020 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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Mandatory Credit: Justin K. Aller/Getty Images
Mandatory Credit: Justin K. Aller/Getty Images /

3. Add An Edge Rusher

The Bills were solidly in the top half of the league this season with 44 sacks, but a closer look shows an issue. Jordan Phillips led the team with 9.5 sacks and was second on the team with 16 quarterback hits, and rookie Ed Oliver (five sacks, eight quarterback hits) also made an impact on the interior. But defensive end Shaq Lawson (six sacks, a team-high 18 quarterback hits) is headed for free agency, and Jerry Hughes had a disappointing season (4.5 sacks) before sacking Deshaun Watson three times in the playoff loss to Houston.

Buffalo has a very good defense from back to front, and they were one of just four teams to allow less than 200 passing yards per game during the 2019 season. Just imagine what the unit could be if there were another significant threat off the edge to bother quarterbacks, joining Hughes and regardless of if Lawson is re-signed.

The prospect of losing Lawson may push edge rusher even higher on general manager Brandon Beane’s offseason to-do list. It should be a priority, perhaps addressed in equal measure via free agency and the draft.

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