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As the Bills begin their first week of Organized Team Activities, this is the perfect time to resume our depth chart/training camp battles review, this time with the defense. If you haven’t seen it yet, the first part (offense) is here. Just as we did last time, each position will have my best guess on the “safe”/cut players this year. With defense, as Rex and Dennis Thurman have alluded, the team will be more fluid – so keep that in mind when you see my chart and reasoning. I’m also using the verbiage that Pettine had for the positions, because that mirrors up best with how Ryan does as well for obvious reasons.
Nose Tackle (3): Marcell Dareus, Stefan Charles, Justin Hamilton.
Safe: Marcell. With a mega-contract looming, Marcell is an easy pick. Charles would be my next closest ‘safe’ pick, as he can play NT and DT. His size (6’5″, 323) is also a boon. Hamilton has an opportunity to make noise in camp, but will have to unseat a few of the names on the DT list as well in order to do so. Hamilton is another “young guy that has a lot to prove” to crack the Buffalo Four Horsemen (and other guys) lineup at defensive line.
Defensive Tackle (4): Kyle Williams, Jarius Wynn, Corbin Bryant, Erik Williams.
Safe: Kyle Williams. Another easy one. Wynn and Bryant will be in a heated battle with Carrington and Charles for wave players in the scheme, though Carrington (as you’ll see in a moment) has had experience starting in the all-important ‘End’ position. Williams will have to shine – but most likely will see time on the practice squad.
End (3): Alex Carrington, Jeremy Towns, Cedric Reed.
Safe: Alex Carrington. Carrington’s return not only can potentially boost the Bills’ special teams, but also its defensive line rotation. Prior to departing for St. Louis (and the injury that proceeded that) Carrington was a strong part of a rejuvenated Bills defense under Pettine. In Ryan’s scheme I foresee him doing the same, pending an injury or illness that the public isn’t privy to. Jeremy Towns and Cedric Reed will be battling for the 5th/6th man in on the rotation. Reed playing through a torn meniscus had a role in his limited stats this year, but his surgery to correct it should allow him to be in the mix by camp. Worst case, he can develop on the practice squad while a Towns or Bryant or Williams plays this season, with 2016 being the goal for him to truly show his wares.
Rush (4)*: Mario Williams, Jerry Hughes, Bryan Johnson, Randell Johnson.
Safe: Mario Williams and Jerry Hughes. C’mon now. Jerry is a tough one for me. He is going to be on the field, a lot, so don’t think having him second on the depth chart behind Mario flippin’ Williams is an insult or affront to his skill-set. Between playing Rush and Sam, I think Hughes will be as effective as he’s been in the prior system(s). Mario is going to be Mario – 12-15 sacks, quietly excellent.
Will Linebacker (4): Nigel Bradham, Ty Powell, Andrew Hudson, AJ Tarpley.
Safe: Bradham. In the “Ray Lewis” role of see ball/get ball, Bradham should be fine. Doug Whaley’s statement that the goal of re-signing the fantastic four of Dareus, Bradham, Gilmore and Glenn is his focus lends me to say Nigel’s a long-term guy in the system. Powell has been touted as a special teamer and solid depth guy by both Marrone and Ryan, so he may have a chance, but camp and pre-season games will determine if AJ Tarpley or Hudson can nip at his heels. Tarpley is a good candidate to float between Will and Mike because he can take on guards, but we’ll see if Rex and his staff agree.
Mike Linebacker (3): Preston Brown, Jimmy Gaines, Tony Steward.
Safe: Brown. With Sal’s scoopage on Preston taking on not only the calls and checks in the defense but the Bart Scott role as well, Rex must think highly of the second year player.
BILLS LB Preston Brown says he has to take on guards more thru the play in new defense/role this year instead of just attacking ball carrier
— Sal Capaccio (@SalSports) May 27, 2015
Gaines and new draftee Steward (Rex Clemson love notwithstanding) will need to be versatile, as the defensive line and secondary will need a ton of people to float between positions, so I’m betting that Will and Mike will have 4, 5 tops players between the two.
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Sam Linebacker (2)*: Manny Lawson, BJ Larsen.
Safe: Manny Lawson. With the switch back to a Ryan hybrid, the return of Manny Lawson to viability is welcomed. While he will be in a bit of a time share with Hughes and Williams depending on how Rex aligns them, the fact that he missed most of the voluntary camps and still can make checks and call the plays leads me to feel safe in my assumption that Manny is quite at home in this scheme again. Larsen is blessed with “good hand work” and length, so he fits as a Rex Ryan guy at Sam. Again, the numbers here will depend on how often Rex will want Mario outside of the “Rush” position.
Corner (10): Stephon Gilmore, Leodis McKelvin, Ron Darby, Ross Cockrell, Nickell Robey, Ron Brooks, Rod Sweeting, Mario Butler, Merrill Noel, Cam Thomas.
Safe: Gilmore, McKelvin, Darby, Cockrell. Of the four, Leodis perhaps has a “tenuous” hold on his starter’s position (at least media wise) due to the presence of Corey Graham on the squad. With the move as of OTAs to have Corey play safety, Leo is a-okay for 2015 (2016 may be another story, but I love me some McKelvin so moving on…) and Darby is going to have the time to develop at his own pace as a result. The depth at corner has allowed Cockrell to do the same, which I look forward to seeing in camp and in games. Outside of those four, the remaining six players are vying for most likely 2 spots, but perhaps 3 should Rex want a pure “nickel” corner that wouldn’t be in the outside mix. If that’s the case, a player like Robey can thrive again as he did under Pettine.
Safety (7): Aaron Williams, Corey Graham, Duke Williams, Bacarri Rambo, Jonathan Meeks, Kenny Ladler, Deon Broomfield.
Safe: Williams, Graham, Williams. Aaron, Corey and Duke are already the top picks for the safety spot with Duke facing a competitor in Graham that has extensive experience in the Ryan defense and its remaining derivative in Baltimore. After those three, Rambo, Meeks, Ladler and Broomfield are vying for 2 spots and perhaps some practice squad time. I’m thinking that Rambo and Meeks are the top dogs, but Meeks has to stay healthy.
Special Teams (5): Dan Carpenter, Colton Schmidt, Garrison Sanborn, Jordan Gay, Spencer Roth.
Safe: Carpenter, Sanborn. Outside of those two, may the best man (men?) win for punter and kickoff specialist. With Rex saying he wants to keep the kickoff specialist position, it’d take a horrid showing by Gay to give up on that idea methinks.
So that’s where we’re at roster wise. I’ll be dropping an article in a day or so on Tyrod Taylor and what issues he’s (hopefully) worked through in his time on the Ravens and what that means for him as a Bill. Until then, feel free to comment on my depth charts (@RDotDeuce). It’s been fun!
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