With IK Enemkpali suffering a torn ACL in Saturday’s preseason opener, the Buffalo Bills are in desperate need of reinforcements at outside linebacker. Veteran Manny Lawson (preseason) and first round pick Shaq Lawson (6-8 weeks) are both out for considerable chunks of time. Who could the Bills look to in an effort to shore up the position?
Current Roster
Buffalo could just try and roll with ten-year vet Lorenzo Alexander. Alexander is the next man listed on the depth chart after Enemkpali. He made the Pro Bowl in 2012 while with the Washington Redskins but is on his third team since. He has only nine sacks in his career.
Other options on the Bills roster include undrafted free agents Eric Striker and Bryson Albright.
Kroy Biermann
The former Atlanta Falcons OLB was in town for a visit with the Bills in March. Injuries have slowed him but he has played both defensive end and outside linebacker at the NFL level, which fits the versatility Rex Ryan is looking for. In 114 career games, Biermann has accumulated 333 tackles, 23.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, two interceptions, and two touchdowns.
Calvin Pace
Pace played for Ryan in New York but was not re-signed this offseason. The 36-year-old has 60 sacks in 187 career games. Another positive on top of knowing the system; Pace hasn’t missed a game due to injury since 2010.
Anthony Spencer
Spencer was with the New Orleans Saints and Rob Ryan through training camp last year but spent the season on injured reserve. Before that he was with Rob Ryan in Dallas. Seems like if they are going with familiarity, he’d be worth a look. He has 33 sacks and a Pro Bowl appearance in his eight NFL seasons.