Bills training camp questions: Who will fill the Von Miller void at edge rusher?
This is the fifth in a 10-part series previewing Buffalo Bills training camp 2023.
Von Miller loves to talk. He loves to talk more than 99% of the professional athlete population – not just the NFL, but all sports.
He also loves to make bold predictions, and as a prognosticator – both Odell Beckham and DeAndre Hopkins becoming Buffalo Bills, for instance – well, let’s just say he’s a far better edge rusher.
One of Miller’s latest declarations came right at the end of mandatory mini camp in mid-June when he said he’s feeling great and that while he’s listening to the doctors and the trainers, he still thinks he’s going to be back sooner than they originally said, and that Week 1 is a possibility.
“If I can go, I’m going to be able to go,” said Miller. “I’ll have some reps in training camp to help get me ready for Week 1.”
The Bills would love for that prediction to come true, but more likely it seems like Miller would be a candidate for the physically unable to perform list, meaning he would be ineligible for the first four games.
If that’s what happens, the Bills are going to need someone to step up and become the edge rusher the opposing team has to worry most about. Greg Rousseau, the 2021 first-round pick, has enjoyed two pretty good seasons and he would be the prime candidate to fill the void of Miller’s absence, but he really didn’t do that last season after Miller went down Thanksgiving Day.
Rousseau missed three games with an injury before Miller got hurt and then made only three sacks in his final seven games counting the postseason.
“I thought he had a good year one and a better year two,” coach Sean McDermott said. “He’s an extremely driven, conscientious young man that works at his craft. When you have that DNA … to me the sky’s the limit as he moves forward.” Well, in year three, that better be the case for a first-round pick.
Leonard Floyd, a late free agent signing, could certainly become the go-to rusher. Floyd will enter his eighth NFL season coming off a three-year stint with the Rams in which he made 29 sacks and won a Super Bowl ring (alongside Miller).
“He’s a pass rusher,” general manager Brandon Beane said. “We’ve got to get to the other quarterback, get him off the spot. Even if you’re not sacking them, affecting them, hurrying throws, things like that. I think our guys all will rise up, adding another guy like a Leonard Floyd.”
A.J. Epenesa has just about run his course in Buffalo as he enters the final year of his original rookie contract. There have been very brief flashes from the 2020 second-round pick including 6.5 sacks last season, but that only brought his career total to nine as he has never been more than a depth player in the rotation.
And it’s looking like that will be the case with 2021 second-rounder Boogie Basham, who has had minimal impact in his first two seasons.
Shaq Lawson was re-signed in free agency, but his best attribute is setting the edge and playing the run as opposed to rushing the passer.
It comes down to this: The Bills’ pass rush needs to improve, especially given all the resources Beane has devoted to it – and not just on the edge but on the inside. Until Miller can get on the field, this is a position group that needs a bump.
Other questions to be answered during Buffalo Bills training camp 2023
Be sure to return to democratandchronicle.com for daily updates throughout the Buffalo Bills training camp. You can also sign up for Bills Blast, Sal Maiorana's newsletter which will follow the Bills action all season long. Here are stories previewing some of the other questions that need to be answered during camp:
Sal Maiorana can be reached at maiorana@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter @salmaiorana and on Threads @salmaiorana1.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Bills training camp questions: Who will fill the Von Miller void at edge rusher?
