The Buffalo Bills return all 11 of their starters on defense from 2020, and the list really extends down to 12 if you consider the third linebacker (A.J. Klein) and the nickel corner (Taron Johnson) as interchangeable in the lineup. A third player, defensive tackle Star Lotulelei, was slated to start prior to opting out due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He returns as well.
With that in mind, most, if not all, of the new additions to the roster are more likely battling for time as rotational players or backups rather than as starters. This is especially true of the team’s rookie class.