Overlooked Bills DT named ‘rebound candidate’ in return from significant injury

You know a defensive line is talented when the NFL’s all-time active sacks leader projects as a rotation defender for it.

This projection may be more indicative of Von Miller’s current health and abilities than the strength of the Buffalo Bills’ defensive line, but the quality of the unit cannot be overlooked. The unit has been one of general manager Brandon Beane’s priorities for most of his tenure at Buffalo’s helm, investing several high-quality draft picks and a significant financial investment into the position.

And the commitment to improving the position has largely paid off, as Buffalo now employs a solid, but perhaps nationally underrated, line flanked by AJ Epenesa and the largely underrated Greg Rousseau, who notched 62 total quarterback pressures last season, according to Pro Football Focus. Inside is the now-dominant Ed Oliver and DaQuan Jones, who still makes an impact despite his abilities rarely showing up on the stat sheet.

The 32-year-old, on paper, only managed 54 tackles and 4.5 sacks in his two seasons with the Bills, but those totals aren’t a good indication of his impact: the tackle jam regularly gaps in the running game and eats away at blockers to allow his teammates to flourish as pass-rushers, while contributing as a rusher himself. He totaled 20 pressures and 10 run stops during an injury-shortened 2023 campaign, according to PFF, this after a stellar 2022 season in which he notched 33 pressures and 20 run stops.

Related: Bills DT named team’s ‘best kept secret’ while participating in OTAs

Jones rarely gets his flowers despite being one of the most influential players on Buffalo’s defense, this potentially – at least currently – due to missing the majority of the 2023 campaign with a tear of the pectoral muscle. He returned toward the end of the year and looked like his old self, indicating he could have a productive 2024 campaign; that sentiment was echoed by PFF’s Bradley Locker, who recently identified Jones as a “bounceback candidate” to watch during the 2024 campaign.

“Jones has been terrific in 2023, with his 82.9 overall grade ranking him 12th among defensive tackles to play 200 or more snaps. The problem, however, was that Jones tore his pec, preventing him from surpassing that amount of playing time.

A healthy Jones could showcase his talent long term, truly creating a name for himself in the middle of a Buffalo defensive line that has no shortage of skill.

A full bounce-back year would not only help Jones gain some well-deserved national recognition, but would also help Oliver continue his climb into elite territory and Rousseau as he enters a potential offseason contract negotiation.