INDIANAPOLIS — Brandon Beane knows Super Bowl teams are built through the defensive line, specifically up the middle.
Beane was part of two Super Bowl teams in Carolina that had hulking defensive lines. The 2003 Panthers featured Kris Jenkins (335 pounds) and Brentson Buckner (335), while the 2015 squad had Kawann Short and Star Lotulelei, both of whom were 315.
Both of those teams had defensive tackles that could go one-on-one with a guard in passing situations while plugging a gap and occupying two offensive linemen against the run, making life giving a one-on-one for other defensive linemen and freeing up linebackers to make tackles.
But in Buffalo, the Bills have primarily used defensive tackles that can get upfield in a hurry and affect the quarterback either by winning an individual battle or collapsing the pocket. But if defensive tackles don’t win their battles, offensive linemen can overwhelm Buffalo’s undersized linebackers.
And it’s a position the Bills have tried to patch over the years, selecting only three defensive tackles in Beane’s seven drafts. It became apparent last season that the Bills need to upgrade the position this offseason.
And it might be time to alter thinking and find a big body to eat up blocks in the middle of the line. Because the Bills could use more than one defensive tackle as Ed Oliver, DaQuan Jones and DeWayne Carter on the only active-roster tackles under contract next year, the Bills have spoken to a mix of sizes at the NFL scouting combine.
“You want different pieces for different guys,” Beane said. “You don’t want to always just be able to have run stuffers and nobody who can get to the quarterback. And you can’t just have a slew of guys that can’t stop the run when it’s December, it’s cold, it’s snowing, and guys are just going to line up in the backfield.”
The Bills have never been a stout run-defending team under Sean McDermott because his scheme invites offenses to run the ball at the expense of big plays downfield. In his eight seasons as a head coach and eight as a defensive coordinator, McDermott’s defenses have ranked in the bottom-10 (5) more than the top-10 (3) in yards per carry.
McDermott’s defenses have finished in the top-10 in rushing yards allowed seven times, including a ninth-place finish last season. Typically a winning team gives up fewer yards because opponents have to throw more often to come back, but that hasn’t been the case in Buffalo.
In his eight seasons as a coordinator between Philadelphia and Carolina, McDermott’s defenses saw one fewer carry per game despite 11 fewer wins.
The Bills signed Lotulelei to a five-year, $50 million contract in 2018 to be a run-plugger, but haven’t really replaced him with a similar player since releasing him after the 2021 season. DaQuan Jones was that type of player in Tennessee, but that’s not what the Bills have asked him to do after first down.
And while the Bills need to increase their sack total from 39 a year ago, bringing down the quarterback isn’t always the main priority in the pass rush. Sometimes manipulating the pocket can be just as effective.
“Is he just a power, straight-up ass-kicker? He’s going to walk his guy back into the pocket,” Beane said. “Maybe he’s not going to flip his hips, but he’s going to condense the pocket and push the guard or the center into the quarterback’s lap.”
The Bills may not get one of the top defensive tackles in the draft class by picking 30th overall, but it’s also a deep group. Forty-one defensive tackles were invited to the combine, up from 26 in 2024.
Here’s a look at some of the run-plugging tackles:
First-round potential
Kenneth Grant, Michigan: Grant is a popular favorite for those who feel the Bills need more beef in the middle. He trimmed his weight from 347 to 330 for the combine and is hoping to crack 5 seconds in the 40-yard dash. If he does, that might put him out of reach for the Bills.
Grant tallied 6 ½ sacks in three years for Michigan, so his first step isn’t explosive, but he can certainly plug the run. Grant formally met with the Bills at the combine.
Derrick Harmon, Oregon: At 6-foot-5, 310 pounds, Harmon is a tweener who can play 3-technique (lining up on the outside shoulder of the guard) or a 1-technique (on the inside shoulder of the guard). Harmon collected five sacks last season after notching 3 ½ in three seasons at Michigan State. His 10 ½ tackles for a loss in 2024 show Harmon can not only absorb blocks for teammates, but shed them to make tackles.
Harmon lost 10 pounds since transferring to Oregon, but he is still top heavy. It will be interesting to see if he re-shapes his 310 pounds or has to cut more weight to stay healthy. Harmon was scheduled to meet the Bills on Wednesday.
Tyleik Williams, Ohio State: Want someone to clog the drain? Williams is the man for the job. At 327 pounds, Williams is a nightmare in one-on-one scenarios. He has a quick first step and thick hands that club blockers on impact, notching 27 tackles for a loss and 11 ½ sacks in four seasons at Ohio State.
Despite being a problem for single blockers, Williams needs to use his sturdy lower body more efficiently to hold his ground against double-teams.
Second day options
Alfred Collins, Texas: Collins is a 320 pounder who looks 20 pounds lighter. He was a rotational player for four seasons, playing behind T’Vondre Sweat at Texas, but had a breakout season in 2024 with 55 tackles, 5 ½ for a loss. Collins has a strong anchor when doubled and can stand up a blocker for teammates to make tackles.
Collins may not produce much as a pass rusher, with an average first step and ability to shed blocks. He prefers to play 3-technique as rusher, but learned to play 1-technique more often last season. Collins formally met with the Bills.
J.J. Pegues, Mississippi: Teammate Walter Nolen is likely to be a first-round pick, but Nolen is a similar player to Oliver. Pegues, however, can play both defensive tackle positions, with the ability to clog rushing lanes while being a productive pass rusher. He had 26 ½ tackles for a loss and 10 sacks in three seasons at Ole Miss, while rushing for seven touchdowns last season.
Pegues might need a year to become a starter in Buffalo’s defense, but he could be a solid rotational player as a rookie.
Deone Walker, Kentucky: A team looking for a big man in the middle might not find anyone larger than the 6-7, 340-pound Walker. He’s compared to Bills veteran Jordan Phillips, who was also nimble for being a monster.
Walker’s production declined from 12 ½ tackles for a loss and 7 ½ sacks in 2023 to five tackles for a loss and 1 ½ sacks last season. He has above average height for a defensive tackle, so playing with leverage may be a consistent battle for him.
Taking a flyer
Ty Robinson, Nebraska: Robinson may not be the wide body to control two blockers, but he’s versatile. At 310 pounds, Robinson won’t be a star at any position, but he does a lot of things well. He’s a high-motor player who could carve out a solid career in a rotational role.