The Buffalo Bills defense struggled in year one under head coach Rex Ryan, so it should come as no surprise that the franchise decided to dedicate multiple premium selections to focus on the defensive side of the ball.
Players like Shaq Lawson, Reggie Ragland and Adolphus Washington were drafted by the Bills and are now expected to help lead the unit’s turnaround.
If early comments from General Manager Doug Whaley is any indication, the Bills will be counting on their rookie class early and often. Not only did the team use those early selections on defensive players, they expect that at least three players from the 2016 draft class will be starters from Day 1.
“At least three [starters],” Whaley said. “Shaq Lawson is going to walk in off the bus starting. Reggie Ragland and then Adolphus Washington — all three of those guys will start right off the bus. And we’re excited for some guys from the fourth through sixth rounds that will contribute for us.”
It will certainly be interesting to see how the Bills rookies step in and make their impact felt from the first day on the field, but if everything comes together, the Buffalo Bills defense could return to form and become one of the fiercest units in the league like it was just two seasons ago.
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*Featured Photo (above) credit to USA TODAY Sports
