Bills’ Edge Rusher Rotation Raises Questions Heading into 2024 Season

This isn’t necessarily a problem, but there are still many unanswered questions when it comes to the Buffalo Bills’ edge rusher rotation.

Leonard Floyd, on a one-year lease, took his 10.5 sacks to San Francisco in free agency, leaving veteran Von Miller and 2021 first-round pick Greg Rousseau behind. Former second-rounder AJ Epenesa resigned and the Bills added Casey Toohill, who totaled 5.0 sacks in 16 games for the Washington Commanders last year.

This four-man group has the potential to recreate Buffalo’s success in 2023, when the defense ranked third overall in sack percentage (9.78), but none of the four appear to be a guaranteed commodity at this point. stadium.

Miller, 35, who looked like a shadow of his former self as he struggled to regain form after a torn ACL, needs to show he still has something left in the tank. In 10.5 games before suffering the season-ending injury, Miller recorded 8.0 sacks for the 2022 Bills. However, he was sackless in 2023 and didn’t really return to his pre-injury form until in the playoffs.

Rousseau displayed the traits that made him a first-round selection, but he wasn’t noticed enough on a consistent basis. Epenesa, who uses his length effectively to clog passing lanes, has quietly recorded 6.5 sacks each over the past two seasons. Still, there is room for improvement for the two young edge rushers.

Like Rousseau and Epenesa, Toohill is on an upward trend, but the 27-year-old doesn’t have an established track record.

Still, the potential for an effective defensive end rotation is real, even if it seemingly requires all four men to meet expectations — which is hardly a guarantee.

Perhaps fifth-round pick Javon Solomon proves capable of contributing immediately. Maybe the Bills will find a late cap-friendly free agent addition similar to what Floyd was last year.

Yes, the potential is there, but so are the questions.