Editor’s note: This is the fourth in a series examining the Buffalo Bills’ free agent possibilities at key positions. Today’s installment looks at defensive tackles.
A spotlight is on the 1-technique defensive tackle position for the Buffalo Bills entering the start of the new NFL fiscal year next week.
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The Bills face big decisions on how to supplement the roster at defensive tackle, manned in 2024 by starters DaQuan Jones, left, and Ed Oliver. Joshua Bessex, Buffalo News
The Bills need better production at the run-plugging position, the player aligned over a shoulder of the offensive center.
DaQuan Jones is 33 years old and played OK. But he wasn’t as effective as when he was dominating in the middle early in the 2023 season. The Bills could stick with Jones and try to add a young thumper in the 2025 NFL draft. It is a deep draft for defensive tackles, and the Bills might be able to get a quality player in the third or fourth round.
Another option is to find a complementary veteran at a reasonable cost to share the position with Jones this season. Or they could spend for a higher-quality starter in free agency and take the pressure off in the draft, nabbing a backup in the middle rounds if the opportunity arises.
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Ed Oliver’s 3-technique position, aligned across from the outside shoulder of a guard, is a low priority. Oliver is signed to a long-term deal, and the Bills just spent a third-round pick a year ago on DeWayne Carter, who primarily backs up Oliver but can play some snaps at the 1-technique spot.
“Stop the run and all those things,” general manager Brandon Beane said last week at the NFL scouting combine. “We’ve always, as long as Sean (McDermott) and I have been here, believed it’s built up front. We’re constantly looking at that.”
Keeping in mind it’s a great year to draft a defensive tackle, here’s a look at defensive tackles scheduled to be available in free agency, with a focus on 1-technique nose tackles:
Top of the heap: The best fit for the Bills as a high-end starter may be Denver’s D.J. Jones, a quality run defender who just turned 30. His market value is $11.2 million per year, according to Spotrac.com. That average salary will rank about 22nd in the league at defensive tackle in 2025. The most expensive DT on the market will be Philadelphia’s Milton Williams, but he’s a 3-technique player and shouldn’t be on the Bills’ radar.
Another expensive starter option is Cincinnati’s B.J. Hill, a good run stopper with some pass-rush ability who is set to turn 30. His market value is $10 million a year, per Spotrac.
The most expensive option is star Jonathan Allen, released by Washington. He may cost up to $25 million a year. The volume of lower-cost options may make him less attractive to many teams.
Names to know: A more cost-effective option in free agency may be the Los Angeles Chargers’ Teair Tart, a 304-pounder who played well against the run last season. He just turned 28 and could be a good option to share the job with the Bills’ Jones. His market value is $5.1 million, per Spotrac. Two other somewhat similar options are Arizona’s Roy Lopez and Tennessee’s Sebastian Joseph-Day, who both might cost in the $3 million range.
Under the radar: Low-cost backup options might include the Jets’ Javon Kinlaw, the Chiefs’ Derrick Nnadi and Cincinnati’s Sheldon Rankins.
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