NFL writer identifies this position group as Bills’ biggest need after June 1

June 1 is an important date on the NFL calendar; As OTAs and mandatory minicamps continue, this is a date when it becomes much easier for teams to trade or cut players. Those at CBS had a suggestion for what the Buffalo Bills should address after June 1 and which potential players could be let go as the summer approaches.

CBS’ Cody Benjamin believes the Bills need to address their front seven before the season starts, writing, “But with Matt Milano injured, Tyrel Dodson gone and Von Miller aging, an off-ball passer or linebacker could help. .”

Buffalo’s pass rush has been widely questioned this offseason, as the Bills’ defensive line was once one of the deepest in the NFL and was gutted due to salary cap restrictions and the departure of players in free agency. However, the Bills attempted to address the defensive line in the draft with the addition of defensive end Javon Solomon. Salomon has a lot of potential; he led the FBS in sacks in the 2023 college season with 16.0, but he played at Troy, where the competition wasn’t on the level of those playing in traditional Power-5 conferences.

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While they added Solomon in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL Draft, they also added defensive tackle DeWayne Carter from Duke in the third round. Although Carter is not an elite passer, he had 12.0 career sacks at Duke and will push the pocket, which will help his linebackers and defensive ends get to the quarterback. Buffalo also added to the top seven via free agency with the addition of Casey Toohill who had a career year in 2023 with 5.0 sacks in Washington.

As for off-ball linebacker, it’s not a huge need for Buffalo. It is true that Milano is coming from a season-ending fractured tibia, but he believes he will be healthy in time for the new campaign. Terrel Bernard is coming off a great sophomore year, and although Dodson started 10 games for the team last season, his start may be overrated by the national media. Additional depth would be welcome at this position, however.

Is there any other potential help coming to Buffalo?

Benjamin thinks Matthew Judon could be cut closer to the start of the season. Judon has been a prolific passer from the outside linebacker position and has been a threat to quarterbacks since being drafted by the Ravens in 2016. He has been a particular thorn in the side of the Bills since joining the Patriots in 2021 .

As the start of the season nears, should the Bills address the starting seven? Or are there more pressing concerns in Western New York?