The Buffalo Bills have a couple of solid starters at defensive end heading into this season, but their depth at the position is suspect. Most of the players competing for a roster spot were undrafted rookies at some point in the last two seasons. The lone exception is a veteran who is only three seasons removed from a 6.5-sack campaign, but will need to regain his touch after a rough season in 2016.
Name: Ryan Davis
# 56
Position: DE
Height/Weight: 6’2”, 260 lbs.
Experience: 6
College: Bethune-Cookman
Draft: UDFA (2012)
Financial Situation (per Spotrac): Davis signed a two-year deal this offseason that carries a cap hit of $925,000 in 2017 and $1.275 million in 2018. There is a minuscule dead cap hit if he’s cut in either season.
2016 Recap: Due to bouts of injuries and ineffectiveness, Davis only appeared in nine games for the Dallas Cowboys last season. He failed to record a sack after recording 11 over the previous three seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars, and only managed four tackles and a fumble recovery in reserve work.
Positional Outlook: Davis isn’t a contender for either of the starting defensive end spots, but he seems to have a solid grasp on the top reserve spot on the end. None of the other reserve defensive ends can come close to the level of experience that David brings to the table.
2017 Offseason: Davis was signed by the Bills a few days after free agency opened in March. He’s been consistently running with the second team so far in training camp.
2017 Season Outlook: It seems like Davis would need to implode during the preseason to miss the final roster, but he probably won’t have a huge impact during the season. He was an effective pass rusher in limited action prior to last season; if he can contribute something in the neighborhood of three to five sacks this year, he’ll have done his job.