The Buffalo Bills have made significant efforts to bolster their pass rush in recent years, including securing All-Pro Von Miller with a $120 million deal and investing heavily in edge rushers through early-round draft picks. However, despite these moves, the team has continued to struggle with generating consistent pressure on opposing quarterbacks — a shortcoming that was especially evident during their AFC Championship loss to Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs.
One insider believes the Bills will take another shot at addressing this issue in the upcoming draft, with the team expected to use their first-round pick on a “rugged” pass rusher who can provide versatility and help strengthen their defensive line.
Bills Snag National Champion Defender
Top star of NBC Sports predicted that the Buffalo Bills will use their No. 30 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft to select edge rusher J.T. Tuimoloau, who recently helped lead Ohio State to a national championship. Dvorchak highlighted the Bills’ need for defensive line help, with Tuimoloau and his Ohio State teammate, Jack Sawyer, emerging as strong options.
“The Bills ranked 21st in pressure rate and 24th in sack rate last year,” Dvorchak wrote. “Additionally, Von Miller’s status is uncertain, as the team can free up $17.4 million in cap space by cutting him after June 1. Ohio State has two potential first-round EDGE defenders who could fit here in Tuimoloau and Sawyer.”
Tuimoloau edges out Sawyer for Dvorchak, citing his superior production and physical traits.
“Tuimoloau holds a significant advantage in sacks (12.5 vs. 9), tackles for loss (22 vs. 9), and he’s a year younger,” Dvorchak explained. “While Sawyer has a slight edge in pressures and PFF’s pass-rush grade, I’ll side with the younger, larger, and better run defender in Tuimoloau.”
With the potential for Miller’s departure, many insiders are predicting the Bills may part ways with him this offseason. Miller’s 2025 base salary is $17.5 million, but the team could save close to $8.5 million by releasing him.
Miller, however, has expressed his desire to return, stating after the Bills’ season-ending loss to the Chiefs, “However long my key card works in this building, I’m gonna keep coming up in here and I’m going to keep coming in and trying to make [a Super Bowl] happen. I want to be here. I plan on being a Buffalo Bill for sure.”
J.T. Tuimoloau Predicted to Become Solid NFL Contributor
In a pre-draft profile, NFL.com predicted that J.T. Tuimoloau will develop into a “good NFL starter,” though his potential to become a star is considered unlikely.
The report highlighted Tuimoloau’s strong performances in critical moments, noting that he accumulated 6.5 total sacks across four games in the College Football Playoff.
“Rugged edge defender with the size, length, and toughness to play up or down in hybrid fronts,” the report read. “Tuimoloau plays to his size. His game revolves around power and force. He uses well-timed strikes and good length to stay separated and shed blocks cleanly. He plays hard but has average pursuit quickness outside the box and struggles with holding his ground against drive blockers in-line.”