Bills Land ‘Intriguing’ Rookie Defensive Tackle After Losing Key Starter

Bills Add Young Depth

The Bills had already used all three practice squad elevations for Phillips, leaving the team with only two options — sign him to the active roster or cut him loose. The Bills opted to bring the veteran onto the roster just two days after his strong performance against Carolina, where he registered a sack.

The Bills also signed safety Jordan Poyer to the active roster, giving them room on the practice squad to add Akingbesote. The former Maryland standout was a seventh-round draft pick by the Dallas Cowboys this year, but failed to make the active roster.

Akingbesote was seen as a project, with analyst Ryan Fowler of The Draft Network noting that he has the tools to become a starter but some areas of his game in need of more development.

“An experienced and mature athlete with four years of experience along the Terrapins’ defensive front, Tommy Akingbesote is an intriguing prospect along the defensive line, offering a blend of power, quickness, and raw upside,” Fowler wrote. “He possesses a well-built frame with the ability to anchor against the run while also flashing disruptive traits as a pass rusher. Has a quick first step for a player of his size, allowing him to gain early leverage against interior blockers.”

Fowler suggested that Akingbesote could make some limited contributions at first, eventually growing into a more reliable NFL player.

“While he may not be an instant three-down contributor, his ability to stop the run and flash disruptive traits as a pass rusher make him a promising developmental option with starter upside,” Fowler wrote.

Bills May Need More Help

With Akingbesote likely not contributing much at first, the Bills may need to look outside the organization for more help filling the void left by Oliver’s injury. Reporter Matt Parrino of Syracuse.com suggested the Bills could have some targets at next week’s NFL trade deadline, including another player familiar to the organization.

“The easiest connection to make is to New York Jets defensive tackle Harrison Phillips, whom the Bills drafted,” Parrino wrote. “He only comes with $4 million cap hit. The trade could include the Jets picking up enough of it to fit it into the Bills’ limited salary cap space, estimated at $2.5 million by Spotrac.com.”

The Bills could have some in-house help as well, especially with the return of defensive end Michael Hoecht and defensive lineman Larry Ogunjobi after serving six-game suspensions. Hoecht was particularly effective against the Panthers, hounding quarterback Andy Dalton as part of an effort that led to seven sacks.