Bills Camp Preview: Does Von Miller have anything left?

Bills training camp is just a few days away. To get you ready, we will preview one position group each day between now and the first practice at St. John Fisher. We’ll break down each position’s strengths, weaknesses and what single player or factor will most swing the outlook of that spot for 2024.

Today we will focus on the defensive line. If you missed any of our other previews, here is where you can catch up: quarterbacks , wide receivers , running backs, tight ends, offensive line.

Strength: Starting Tackles

Ed Oliver and DaQuan Jones will enter this fall as the Bills two top defensive linemen, inside or outside.

Despite a disappointing finish in the playoff loss, Oliver played at a ridiculous level for most of last season. His 9.5 sacks equaled the previous three seasons combined.

Jones was never adequately replaced while missing half the season with a pec injury. He’s a very good run defender and an underrated pass rusher. Very few teams can match this pair.

Weakness: Edge Rushers

Greg Rousseau might be Buffalo’s most dependable player, but he’s not lived up to a first-round draft status. AJ Epenesa is off back-to-back 6.5 sack seasons, but is not someone offenses must account for.

There’s hope with younger guys like rookie 5th-round pick Javon Salomon, and the veteran depth chart is good.

But this position will live and die on the return of Von Miller.

X-Factor: Von Miller

The former All-Pro took a pay cut to stay, so he’s motivated in year two of his second major knee injury.

While the first year of such an injury is always tough, Miller was a shell of himself, ineffective enough to be a healthy scratch in December.

He’ll be better this year, anything and everything between an elite game-wrecker and an irrelevant washed-up vet is plausible.

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