Honest discussion of our D Line

[gonzo1105]

I think you’re all underestimating Hoecht a lot. Didn’t have big sack numbers but when he was in he was always chasing down QBs 

 

He also was asked to drop 22% of the time and still put up solid sack numbers as a part time starter. He won’t be doing that here you would think as he’ll be going for the QB 

Edited yesterday at 02:35 AM by gonzo1105

[Warriorspikes51]

33 minutes ago, gonzo1105 said:

I think you’re all underestimating Hoecht a lot. Didn’t have big sack numbers but when he was in he was always chasing down QBs 

 

He also was asked to drop 22% of the time and still put up solid sack numbers as a part time starter. He won’t be doing that here you would think as he’ll be going for the QB 

 

Bosa, Rousseau, Hoecht, Epenesa, Solomon

 

I think we still add another pass rusher

Calais Campbell would be my choice. 
He can play anywhere on the line. Ageless wonder dude has elite metrics and looked great against us. High motor. Greg’s mentor 

Edited yesterday at 03:01 AM by Warriorspikes51

[billsfan714]

With all the DL signings I have wondered how many spots there will be for rookies.   How many DL did we keep in final cutdowns last year?   Especially with such a supposed strong DL draft class this is supposed to be.    Honestly just asking.

[Warriorspikes51]

6 minutes ago, billsfan714 said:

With all the DL signings I have wondered how many spots there will be for rookies.   How many DL did we keep in final cutdowns last year?   Especially with such a supposed strong DL draft class this is supposed to be.    Honestly just asking.

 

 

5 DL out/UFA

 

3 DL in 

[GASabresIUFan]

10 minutes ago, Warriorspikes51 said:

 

 

5 DL out/UFA

 

3 DL in 

Jefferson and Phillips were late season roster filler.  So far we have replaced 3 rotational players, Smoot, Miller and Johnson, with Hoecht, Bosa, and Ogunjobi and we are the better for it.  I think Hoecht is a sneaky good signing.  The more I read on him, the better I like the player.  He has a 11% pressure rate compared to AFE's 7.  He also is able to drop in coverage, and is a better tackler than AJE as well.  He can also move inside in a pinch.

Edited yesterday at 03:30 AM by GASabresIUFan

[Warriorspikes51]

10 minutes ago, GASabresIUFan said:

Jefferson and Phillips were late season roster filler.  So far we have replaced 3 rotational players, Smoot, Miller and Johnson, with Hoecht, Bosa, and Ogunjobi and we are the better for it.  I think Hoecht is a sneaky good signing.  The more I read on him, the better I like the player.  He has a 11% pressure rate compared to AFE's 7.  He also is about to drop in coverage, and is a better tackler than AJE as well.  He can also move inside in a pinch.

IMO we should move on from DaQuan

 

one DT spot filled by UFA / Trade and another in the first 2 rounds of the draft

 

In fact, I’d love to see us get a pair of DT’s out of the first 3 picks.  Kenneth Grant and perhaps Farmer.  Haven’t done much homework yet on it though

 

 

DE  Bosa, Rousseau, Hoecht, AJ, Solomon

DT  Oliver, Ogunjobi, UFA/Trade, Rookie, Carter

 

could AJ be a trade possibility, if we add more there

 

* forgot Ogunjobi !

Edited yesterday at 03:40 AM by Warriorspikes51

[GASabresIUFan]

3 minutes ago, Warriorspikes51 said:

IMO we should move on from DaQuan

 

one DT spot filled by UFA / Trade and another in the first 2 rounds of the draft

 

In fact, I’d love to see us get a pair of DT’s out of the first 3 picks.  Kenneth Grant and perhaps Farmer.  Haven’t done much homework yet on it though

We save more cap moving on from AJE.  

[Warriorspikes51]

Just now, GASabresIUFan said:

We save more cap moving on from AJE.  

interesting. I’m kind of indifferent on the guy. He’s had a couple impressive games and moments.  He does certainly hit QB’s with more force than most….when he actually gets there

[GASabresIUFan]

5 minutes ago, Warriorspikes51 said:

when he actually gets there

More of an if.  His pressure rate is worse than interior lineman.  It got so bad last year, McD started removing him from the field on passing downs.  I'm honestly surprised given the potential cap savings of about $3 mill that he is still on the team.  

Edited yesterday at 03:44 AM by GASabresIUFan

[Warriorspikes51]

4 minutes ago, GASabresIUFan said:

More of an if.  His pressure rate is worse that interior lineman.  It got so bad last year, McD started removing him from the field on passing downs.  I'm honestly surprised given the potential cap savings of about $3 mill that he is still on the team.  

Well Cameron Wolfe did mention he wouldnt be surprised if we still added another pass rusher

 

I’d be thrilled to swap Fowler Jr in for AJ 

However… AJ has 6, 6.5, 6.5 sacks each of the last 3 years

 

I suspect they feel comfortable with that baseline until they find a sure upgrade

Edited yesterday at 03:45 AM by Warriorspikes51

[BillsFanForever19]

3 hours ago, Warriorspikes51 said:

Well Cameron Wolfe did mention he wouldnt be surprised if we still added another pass rusher

 

I’d be thrilled to swap Fowler Jr in for AJ 

However… AJ has 6, 6.5, 6.5 sacks each of the last 3 years

 

I'd think if we did, it wouldn't be in Free Agency. Or at least not anything at the level of a Fowler.

 

Fowler isn't signing somewhere to not start. Same goes for Bosa. And someone would have to be 3rd there. Even without Epenesa - who I don't think we're in a rush atm to move on from. And you're not paying someone like Hoecht at 3 years, 24m for the amount of reps Javon Solomon got last year as the 5th guy.

 

If we did sign someone, it would be a Dawuane Smoot, Casey Toohill type guy who wouldn't cost much for the limited role and would be fine with an off the bench rotational role, who wouldn't be guaranteed a roster spot.

 

I think if we were to add at Edge, it would be more likely in the Draft after Round 1 if the board fell right. Then, maybe if the Rookie looked really good right out of the gate, we'd move on from Epenesa.

Edited yesterday at 07:38 AM by BillsFanForever19

[finn]

On 3/12/2025 at 1:22 PM, chris heff said:

They are not going to use all 10 draft picks, if there is a DT or DE they really like expect them to move up. 

That does seem to be Beane's pattern. He'll likely move up in the first round and package some of his fourth- or fifth-round picks to land a third-round pick, and more late picks to move up in other places. To myself, I've been predicting he ends up picking just seven players in the end. 

 

I just wish he had a better record of moving up: Edmunds, Ford, Elam, maybe even Kincaid... When I see "Trade!" my blood goes cold. I wonder if his scouts are muttering to themselves every year, "Just stick to the board, just stick to the board, just stick to the board..."

[Warriorspikes51]

7 hours ago, BillsFanForever19 said:

 

I'd think if we did, it wouldn't be in Free Agency. Or at least not anything at the level of a Fowler.

 

Fowler isn't signing somewhere to not start. Same goes for Bosa. And someone would have to be 3rd there. Even without Epenesa - who I don't think we're in a rush atm to move on from. And you're not paying someone like Hoecht at 3 years, 24m for the amount of reps Javon Solomon got last year as the 5th guy.

 

If we did sign someone, it would be a Dawuane Smoot, Casey Toohill type guy who wouldn't cost much for the limited role and would be fine with an off the bench rotational role, who wouldn't be guaranteed a roster spot.

 

I think if we were to add at Edge, it would be more likely in the Draft after Round 1 if the board fell right. Then, maybe if the Rookie looked really good right out of the gate, we'd move on from Epenesa.

Perhaps Calais then.   5 sacks, great metrics, 52 tackles, 12 Tackles for Loss.

 

Miami apparently wants to re-sign him and are waiting on his decision process 

I'm sure the Bills would love him for a number of reasons.  Interior pass rush, can line up all across the DL.  Huge.  High effort, character, leader, Rousseau's mentor.  Question is would he want to come up here 

Edited yesterday at 12:06 PM by Warriorspikes51