The Buffalo Bills have quietly constructed one of the most intriguing defensive line groups in the NFL heading into the 2025 season — a blend of proven talent, explosive youth, and scheme-versatile depth. After years of solid, if unspectacular, trench play, the Bills made bold moves this offseason to transform the unit into a disruptive force that reflects defensive coordinator Bobby Babich’s evolving identity in year two.
Let’s break down the new-look group — and what it could mean for Buffalo’s front seven this fall.
The Edge: Star Power Returns with New Firepower
Greg Rousseau
Now entering his fifth season, Rousseau remains the anchor off the edge. Long, powerful, and disciplined, he’s shown flashes of elite run defense and pass-rushing polish — and he could flourish even more with talent now stacked around him.
Joey Bosa
The blockbuster addition. When healthy, Bosa is a top-five edge rusher in the league. His arrival adds star power, veteran leadership, and a true game-wrecker presence to the Bills defense. He’ll be counted on to elevate the unit’s ceiling — especially on critical downs.
AJ Epenesa
A rotational mainstay, Epenesa has grown into a reliable and scheme-savvy edge who can slide inside when needed. With Bosa on board and rookies rotating in, Epenesa may benefit from fewer double teams and more 1-on-1 pass-rushing chances.
Michael Hoecht (suspended 6 games)
A sneaky good signing from the Rams, Hoecht brings inside-outside versatility and violent hands. He’s suspended for the first six games, but expect him to rotate heavily once eligible — particularly in pass-rush packages.
Javon Solomon
One of the most productive pass-rushers in college football in his last season, Solomon is a high-motor, high-upside 2nd year pro who could surprise early. Expect him to see situational work as a DPR (designated pass rusher) while he develops behind Bosa and Rousseau.
Landon Jackson & Hayden Harris
Both are developmental pieces with big frames and burst. Jackson, in particular, brings prototypical edge size and SEC pedigree. He’ll likely start the season as a depth option but could work into the rotation if injuries or suspensions open up snaps.
Interior: Deep, Versatile, and Suddenly Dangerous
Ed Oliver
Oliver signed an extension last year and played some of his best football in 2024. Undersized but explosive, he’s the interior penetrator in this defense — and now he’ll be freed up more often with bigger bodies around him.
DaQuan Jones
The veteran glue guy. Jones’ presence was sorely missed during his 2023 injury. A true run-stuffer and leader, he’ll again handle nose duties on early downs and anchor the middle with his power and technique. DaQuan felt slower in less effective in 2024 but the hopes is with more stability and talent around him, he will be back to his old form.
Larry Ogunjobi (suspended 6 games)
Ogunjobi’s game is built on quick get-off, leverage, and the ability to disrupt from the 3-tech spot — a perfect rotational complement to Ed Oliver and DaQuan Jones. He’s recorded 21.5 career sacks and has consistently graded well against the run, giving Buffalo a stabilizing force in the trenches.
In a crowded room filled with rookies and upside projects, Ogunjobi offers something rare: consistency, toughness, and proven production. He’ll likely factor in as a rotational player early but could easily play starter-level snaps depending on matchup and health.
Deone Walker
Buffalo’s most hyped rookie on the D-line, Walker is a behemoth with surprising quickness. If he adjusts to NFL tempo quickly, he could find himself in a starting role by midseason. The Bills haven’t had a true interior presence like him in years.
T.J. Sanders, Zion Logue, and DeWayne Carter
These three depth players round out what could be one of the deepest defensive tackle groups in the league. Sanders is explosive and twitchy, Logue brings a bulldozer-like frame, and Carter going into his 2nd year, adds leadership and smarts as a seasoned vet from Duke.
Scheme Fit and Identity in 2025
Defensive coordinator Bobby Babich wants a front that can generate pressure without blitzing, hold gaps in the run game, and rotate bodies to stay fresh. This current D-line group checks all those boxes:
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Elite talent on the edge (Bosa, Rousseau)
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Run-stuffers and gap fillers inside (Jones, Walker, Carter)
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Explosiveness in pass-rush packages (Oliver, Epenesa, Sanders)
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Youth and developmental upside (Jackson, Solomon, Harris)
Don’t be surprised if this line allows Babich to run more stunts, exotic looks, and controlled chaos — something we began to see flashes of late last season.
Coaching Spotlight: Marcus West's Fingerprints All Over This Line
While the Bills made headlines with splashy signings and draft-day moves, one of the most underrated factors in this defensive line's potential breakout is the leadership of defensive line coach Marcus West.
West, entering his second season with the Bills, comes from a college background (Charlotte, Minnesota, and most notably Memphis), where he built a reputation for developing raw talent and teaching violent, efficient technique. His style is high-energy, hands-on, and detail-driven — the kind of coaching approach that resonates with both vets and rookies.
“Coach West is always on you about your hands, your feet, and your finish,” said one defensive lineman during OTAs. “He doesn’t let anything slide, and that’s why we respect him.”
🔧 Why West Matters in 2025:
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Young Talent Everywhere: With rookies like Deone Walker, T.J. Sanders, and Landon Jackson in the mix, West’s college coaching roots are perfect for getting early production out of raw but gifted linemen.
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Maximizing Versatility: He’s a big reason why players like Greg Rousseau have improved in setting the edge and why Ed Oliver has become more consistent in pass-rush efficiency.
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Rotational Efficiency: Buffalo wants to rotate 8–9 defensive linemen without losing production. West is the one tasked with making sure each player is ready to execute in their limited snaps — and that chemistry isn’t lost with constant substitutions.
Last season, West helped guide the Bills to a top-10 finish in pressures and tackles for loss, despite losing DaQuan Jones and missing key contributors at times. Now, with a much deeper room and more talent across the board, he’ll be expected to blend stars like Joey Bosa and Ed Oliver with the next wave of rookies, while managing egos, roles, and rotation time.
The Road Ahead
There will be challenges:
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Hoecht’s and Ogunjobi's suspensions creates an early rotation gap.
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Bosa’s injury history will be monitored closely.
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Rookies like Walker, Sanders, and Solomon will need to learn on the fly.
But if this unit gels — and if Bosa stays healthy — the Bills could finally field a front that dictates terms instead of reacting to them.
Final Thought
The Bills didn’t just tweak their defensive line this offseason — they rebuilt it with a purpose. Bigger bodies. More speed. Higher upside. And a mix of savvy veterans and hungry rookies.
In the trenches, games are won. And in 2025, the Bills' blueprint is built on domination up front.
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