Defensive line poll: Who will lead the Buffalo Bills in sacks for 2020?

The Buffalo Bills have plenty of depth along the defensive line, with a number of players who could lead the team in sacks this season. Without further adieu, I present your candidates for consideration.

Mario Addison

One of the higher profile free agents to join the Bills back in March, Addison has been a consistent pass rusher over his last four seasons with the Carolina Panthers. Addison has averaged 9.75 sacks per season since 2016, and could be an early favorite to lead the Bills this season. How he will be used in head coach Sean McDermott’s defense still remains to be seen, but expectations are relatively high for the veteran defensive end.

Jerry Hughes

The popular defensive end for the Bills finished the 2019 regular season with only 4.5 sacks, before erupting in the 2019 Wild Card loss to the Houston Texans. Hughes finished the game with three sacks, and was a menace in the Texans’ backfield all game long. Hughes can certainly still play, but many have wondered what was causing the reduction in sacks during the regular season. The answer may have very well been an injured groin and wrist, which led to multiple surgeries for Hughes this offseason. Hopefully a healthy Hughes can pick up where he left off against the Texans.

Trent Murphy

I know there are plenty of questions if Murphy will even be a Bill in 2020, but consider that he started in 2019, and had a strong finish to the season (as discussed on an earlier episode of this podcast). Murphy had five sacks over his last eight regular season games, and tacked on two more in the playoffs. If he does make the roster in 2020, I see Murphy being in contention for the team lead.

Ed Oliver

The expectations are certainly high for Oliver as he enters his second season in Buffalo. The rookie delivered his most dominant performance against the Dallas Cowboys on Thanksgiving Day, when he recorded two sacks against Dak Prescott. If Oliver continues to improve—and there is no reason to think he won’t—he could be the favorite to lead the Bills in sacks this season.

Be sure to make your choice for the team leader in sacks below, and share your thoughts in the comments section.

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