Sean McDermott’s philosophy has always been to generate pressure with the front four and let your linebackers and secondary drop into coverage. That’s how to defeat a passing game and affect the quarterback. As head coach of the Buffalo Bills he’s continued that philosophy and the team has used multiple assets to try and achieve that goal (though mostly with modest success).
Buffalo’s 2021 first-round pick, Gregory Rousseau, is the third straight year the Bills used their top selection on a defensive lineman. In 2019, it was second-round defensive end A.J. Epenesa and 2018 it was top-ten pick Ed Oliver, the 3-tech defensive tackle.