Bills' New Positional Changes Reflect Defense's Stark Transition

The Bills now have only one player listed as a defensive end on the roster: Landon Jackson, the team's third-round selection last season. He only played in three games as a rookie before suffering a season-ending knee injury in Week 10 against the Miami Dolphins.

Jackson being the only listed defensive end on the roster suggests his role will be as a 5-technique in Leonhard's defense, lining up over an offensive tackle or a tight end depending on the formation.

At 6-foot-6, 264 pounds, Jackson may need to add bulk to fully fit into that role.

Linebacker changes

This is the position group where the shift is most noticeable. The edge rushers will be listed as linebackers in a 3-4 defense, where they'll typically be lined up against offensive tackles.

Incumbents Javon Solomon, Greg Rousseau and Michael Hoecht and key free-agent signing Bradley Chubb are all now listed as outside linebackers.

Solomon only played about 20% of the Bills' defensive snaps despite appearing in all 17 games last season. Hoecht only played two games before suffering a torn Achilles tendon, and Rousseau and Chubb combined for 15.5 sacks.

At inside linebacker, there's one big change for a likely starter with Matt Milano all but gone . Dorian Williams, who's entering the final season of his rookie contract, is now listed as an inside linebacker.

Williams will likely be asked to cover more ground from his new position, something his 4.49-second 40-yard dash speed could allow him to do.

Buffalo's defense is in the middle of an overhaul, and these positional changes reflect that transition.