Sanders didn't get much playing time as a rookie, but is expected to take on a bigger role on the Bills' defense in year two. Regardless, he'll have to make some major steps in both phases of the game, as the second-round pick was pretty underwhelming last season.

Gallimore is destined to be a career-long backup at this point, but he can provide some value as an interior pass-rusher off the bench. The 6'2", 307-pound defensive tackle is pretty quick for his size to win across guards' faces, and he's coming off a career high with 3.5 sacks last season.

Two years ago, Ogbonnia was supposed to replace Poona Ford on the Los Angeles Chargers' defensive line. However, the 2022 fifth-round pick failed to meet expectations in Los Angeles, especially as a run defender. He's a two-down player by nature, but needs to take a big step this season in Dallas.

The best season of Butler's career came in 2024, when he was a regular starter for the first time and had his most impressive performance as a run defender to date. However, he regressed last year, and the eight-year veteran has primarily been a sub-package player throughout his NFL tenure. Butler is really effective on line games, at both setting up teammates and himself to get pressure, and can rush from multiple alignments. But he shouldn't be asked to do much more than that.

Jones is a pure nose tackle who has impressive strength at the point of attack to reset the line of scrimmage and make tackles near the line of scrimmage occasionally. However, he isn't consistent at holding his gap and doesn't offer much as a pass-rusher.

Laulu has a good combination of strength and athleticism that has allowed him to show flashes as both a run defender and a pass-rusher so far in his career. But the two-year pro lacks consistency, especially against the run, to be considered a bona fide starter in the NFL moving forward. This feels like the make-or-break campaign for Laulu, going into year three with a chance to prove himself on Las Vegas' thin defensive line.

After hardly seeing the field for three teams in 2023 and 2024, Durden finally found a home and carved out a role in New England last year. He especially turned heads as an interior pass-rusher during the AFC Champs' playoff run, showing some power to push the pocket. The 27-year-old still has work to do as a run defender, and it will be interesting to see if his 2025 performance was a flash in the pan or the start of an underdog story.

Between injuries, approaching 35 years old and declining production in recent years, it's easy to see why the Bills weren't interested in re-signing Jones, and why he hasn't found a new team yet. The 12-year veteran just doesn't have the same impact he used to in both phases of the game, and that was really apparent in the second half of last season.

Dorlus had some promising moments in his second season and first with significant playing time, showing off some quickness to win around the edges of interior offensive linemen in both phases of the game. He also notched 8.5 sacks, though a lot of those were more opportunistic. Additionally, the 2024 fourth-round pick is too reliant on working around blocks in the running game. That's what holding him back from being a long-term starting defensive tackle in Atlanta heading into a pivotal year three.