Buffalo Bills: Ranking the team’s top 2018 offseason additions

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CHARLOTTE, NC – NOVEMBER 08: Luke Kuechly #59 congratulates teammate Star Lotulelei #98 of the Carolina Panthers after a sack against the Green Bay Packers in the 1st quarter during their game at Bank of America Stadium on November 8, 2015 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

1. Star Lotulelei, DT (from Carolina Panthers)

The hiring of head coach Sean McDermott in 2016 certainly paid dividends for the team. The bottom line is that the club made its first postseason appearance this century. Now the Buffalo Bills would like to come away with a playoff victory for the first time since 1995.

Of course, the presence of the team’s current sideline leader plays a big part in why the club added some much-needed help to the interior of their defensive line. Star Lotulelei was the 14th overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft by the Carolina Panthers. He spent five seasons with that franchise and McDermott as his defensive coordinator. He was part of four playoff teams and started 75 of the 76 regular-season contests he appeared in. And he should solve a big issue for this club, one that appeared to be rectified early last season.

During the club’s 5-3 start, Buffalo defenders surrendered only 561 yards on the ground — an average of 80.1 yards per game. However, including the playoff loss to the Jaguars, the Bills allowed a whopping 158.8 yards rushing in their final 10 overall outings.

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The midseason trade of Marcell Dareus was certainly a factor but doesn’t explain all of the problems. With Lotulelei more than familiar with McDermott’s defense, the five-year pro should have an immediate impact on a Bills club that has allowed the fourth-most rushing yards in the league each of the past two seasons.

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