2010 Buffalo Bills Roster: Defensive Preview, More New Faces Starting

With the Bills switching to the 3-4 defensive scheme, there is vast confusion among fans regarding which players will be starting, and where.

Defensive tackles will become defensive ends, defensive ends becoming linebackers, and questionable rotation at the nose tackle position...the heart and soul of the 3-4 defense.

The 2010 Buffalo Bills defense will look a lot different, and hopefully play a lot different than those previously in the Jauron era, in which the team was loaded with small, fast players who couldn't make a tackle.

Listed after the jump are the current players on the defense, and where they will most likely end up playing in 2010.

Defensive Ends

The 3-4 defensive scheme requires much larger defensive ends than those needed to fill the position in a 4-3.

The Bills went out and signed Dwan Edwards from the Baltimore Ravens this offseason, giving the defensive line competition from a player familiar with the 3-4. Last season, Edwards recorded 47 tackles, and was a dominant run stuffer alongside Haloti Ngata.

Marcus Stroud Marcus Stroud has been the defensive tackle for the Bills in recent years, recording 56 tackles, 2.5 sacks, and deflecting eight passes last season. Stroud's 6'6", 310 lb body will provide thickness to shore up the edge.

Alex Carrington Drafted in the third round of the 2010 NFL Draft, Carrington adds depth, size, and potential to take over for the aging Stroud, who is 31 years old.

John McCargo John McCargo has been anything but productive during his tenure as a Bill, but given the new defensive scheme, he has an opportunity to justify his first round draft selection.

Nose Tackle

Kyle Williams Williams is coming off his best season, and was the shine of the lackluster defensive line of the Buffalo Bills. The former LSU Tiger recorded 66 tackles, and made four sacks. Williams is expected to be the starting nose tackle, despite being listed at only 301 lbs.

Torell Troup While many Bills fans were mad at the selection of Troup, given that "Mount Cody" was still available, I have faith in my fellow Knight. Troup is a hard working, passionate, and dedicated football player. Troup and Williams will rotate at the nose tackle position, but expect Troup to hold down the line for quite a while.

Marlon Favorite Another depth signing.
Lonnie Harvey A depth signing, but at 342 lbs, we may see Harvey on the field if he can compete in offseason workouts.

Outside Linebackers

Here is where things get interesting!

Keith Ellison Keith Ellison was showing promise, recording 68 tackles in just eight games last season, but will he fit in the 3-4 scheme?

Chris Kelsay Formerly a defensive end, Kelsay will most likely take the backseat to the recently crowded defense.

Aaron Maybin After being drafted No.11 overall in the 2009 NFL Draft as a 250 lb defensive end, Maybin has yet to contribute. Now, with the 3-4, things are going to change. Maybin isn't a guy who will explode with his hand in the ground , and many are expecting a big year for him.

Aaron Schobel His retirement status still unknown, the Bills 2009 sacks leader will be moved to outside linebacker. Schobel is one of the only playmakers on the Bills defense, so the team is desperate for his return.

Danny Batten Batten was drafted in the sixth round out of South Dakota State University, and will most likely contribute on special teams.

Inside Linebackers

Paul Posluzny Poz is the heart and soul of the Bills' defense, recording 111 tackles, picking off three passes, deflecting four, and making a sack. It will be interesting to see how he adjusts to the 3-4

Andra Davis The Bills got a veteran with vast knowledge of the 3-4 defense when they signed Davis this off season, formerly a Denver Bronco.
Davis brings veteran leadership and could be a mentor to the young linebacking group the Bills have.

Kawika Mitchell Despite being placed on Injured Reserve last season, Mitchell is also expected to play inside in the 3-4 scheme. Pending Aaron Schobel's retirement plans, Mitchell could be moving outside, if necessary.

Arthur Moats Arthur Moats was drafted as a defensive end out of James Madison in the sixth round. The Bills think he'd be better playing inside linebacker. I'm not expecting to see much of him on the field in 2010.

Cornerbacks

Terrence McGee McGee was injured pretty badly at the end of the 2009 season, but he is still a dominating cornerback in a division featuring Brandon Marshall, Braylon Edwards, and Randy Moss.

Leodis McKelvin As mad as I still am about the fumbled kickoff, the former No. 11 overall draft pick is due for a breakout year.

Reggie Corner With McKelvin injured for the majority of the 2009 season, Reggie Corner stepped it up, making 67 tackles, deflecting nine passes, and making an interception.

Drayton Florence Florence will compete with Corner for the Nickel corner spot, as he was also productive last season, putting up similar numbers to Reggie Corner.

Others:
Ashton Youboty, Ellis Lankster

Safeties

Jairus Byrd Jairus Byrd, in the wise words of Robert Royal, was a "fresh of breath air" for the Buffalo Bills last season, as the second rounder out of Oregon picked off nine passes, and deflected 11 more, while making 45 tackles as well.

George Wilson When Donte Whitner went down, Wilson capitalized on his opportunity, making over 100 tackles, four interceptions, deflecting six passes, and making two sacks. It will be tough for Whitner to earn back that starting role.

Donte Whitner Another first round draft pick that hasn't panned out as planned, Whitner was very inconsistent last season, and has seen his number of tackles decrease significantly in each of his four prefessional seasons.

Bryan Scott Bryan Scott is the last on the very long list of Buffalo Bills' defensive backs, but is a situational play maker. Last season he recorded 81 tackles.