After a couple of seasons, a lot can change in the NFL.
But in the case of the Buffalo Bills, maybe “a lot” just doesn’t cover it.
Buffalo head coach Sean McDermott and Brandon Beane both joined the team’s front office prior to the 2017 season. That year the Bills cracked the postseason in very unlikely fashion with a much-inherited team.
The duo did make big roster moves before that season, like moving Sammy Watkins and Ronald Darby. But now entering the fourth training camp under this regime, the names and down-right talent on their roster is a night and day comparison, so let’s do just that.
Here’s a full comparison of the Buffalo Bills’ 2017 defense and special teams roster compared to their current one:
Defensive end
| 2017 | 2020 |
| Shaq Lawson | AJ Epenesa |
| Jerry Hughes | Darryl Johnson |
| Ryan Davis | Jerry Hughes |
| Max Valles | Mike Love |
| Eddie Yarbrough | Trent Murphy |
| Ian Seau | Bryan Cox Jr. |
| Jake Metz | Mario Addison |
| Marquavius Lewis | Quinton Jefferson |
Advantage: 2020
The Bills are hoping to finally have a finished product at this position in 2020. It’s taken a few seasons for Buffalo to get their pass rush in a place that McDermott likes it, but at minimal, the current group is certainly the deepest. If the club decides to keep Trent Murphy heading into the season instead of cutting him, this group will be amongst the deepest edge rushing groups in the entire NFL, along with Mario Addison, AJ Epenesa, and the consistent in Jerry Hughes.