Buffalo Bills' Sean McDermott Reveals How Ed Oliver Has Reached 'Same Level' as Vets

Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott spoke on Thursday about how young defensive linemen have grown with their veteran counterparts.

The Buffalo Bills are AFC contenders year after year, and for good reason. Their core has grown together, alongside elite quarterback Josh Allen. The lack of true roster turnover has allowed them to reap the benefits of continuity and watch younger players blossom into key pieces.

Buffalo head coach Sean McDermott spoke about the leaps some Bills have made, closing the gap between veterans as they accumulate more experience. Nowhere was this more apparent than the defensive line.

A first-round pick in 2019, defensive tackle Ed Oliver has developed into a vital contributor to Buffalo’s defense. It’s been a fairly rocky road to this point, especially for someone who many saw as the best player in his class before his final collegiate season. Those perceived as elite talents often are expected to transition quicker to the next level.

This year, he’s off to a hot start, totaling three sacks in as many games.

“It used to be a few of the veteran players and Ed was young and coming, but now it’s really like everyone is on the same level now in terms of experience,” McDermott said. “Ed’s been through a number of years now. Enough snaps to where he’s seen some ball, too.”

Oliver sacks Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert :: JAMIE GERMANO/ROCHESTER DEMOCRAT AND CHRONICLE via Imagn Content Services, LLC

Oliver’s contributions have added to a defensive front that has impressed thus far. Even with veteran edge rusher Von Miller out, linemen DaQuan Jones, Greg Rousseau, and Leonard Floyd have kept the pass rush afloat. It seems Oliver is able to help his teammates as much as they’ve helped him in years past.

“It’s really checks and balances,” McDermott continued. “They do a good job of ‘hey, remember this,’ and holding each other accountable and those types of things. And then Von is obviously baked into all that as well.”

That sort of policing is beneficial on a roster that is well past the stage of being on the rise. The Bills are expected to win. Former first-round picks finally hitting their stride certainly helps.

On Sunday, Buffalo will host the red-hot Miami Dolphins, boasting a world-beating offense and the ability to strike fear into every opponent. It’s the toughest task yet for a Bills defense that ranks second in points allowed, behind only the Cleveland Browns.

They’ll need Oliver and Jones to continue playing at a high level to help limit what may be an insurmountable Dolphins’ attack.