that will no longer be the case, as the Bills will transition to life without Kyle for the

Throughout the last thirteen seasons Youth Tremaine Edmunds Jersey , the Buffalo Bills have had one constant presence in the lineup. No matter how bad the team was, Kyle Williams would line up at defensive tackle. In 2019, first time since the 2005 season (for those who are curious, Buffalo’s starting defensive tackles that season were Sam Adams and Tim Anderson. Justin Bannan and Ron Edwards also made starts that year).Whenever a team loses a player of Williams’s stature, the season after is a difficult one with regard to finding replacements. The Bills will have to remake the position, as they lose two of the four players who rotated in at defensive tackle most heavily in 2018.In the latest look at the state of the Bills roster, we look at the defensive tackle position.Star LotuleleiContract status for 2019: Signed; $11.5 million cap hit ($12.4 million dead cap if cut)Age: 29 (30 on 12/20/19)Playing time: 16 games (16 starts), 475 snaps (46.84% of defensive total), 75 ST snaps (17.08%)Key statistics: 17 tackles, 1 tackles for loss, 1 pass defendedIt’s tough to evaluate someone like Lotulelei based solely on statistics, as so much of his job involves freeing other players to accumulate statistics of their own. At $11.5 million, his is the highest salary cap number on the Bills’ roster in 2019 Vladimir Ducasse Jersey , and the contract is structured in such a way that makes it foolish to move on next season. Not that I think they need to, however, as Lotulelei did exactly what he was supposed to do this year. He ate blockers in front of rookie Tremaine Edmunds, and he prevented quarterbacks from stepping up into huge pockets, which was a big problem for the Bills last season. Buffalo’s run defense improved this season, as well—the Bills were 16th in the league this year, allowing 114.9 yards per game, an improvement from 124.6 per game last year, which ranked 29th. Harrison PhillipsContract status for 2019: Signed; $802,760 cap hit ($581,280 dead cap if cut)Age: 22 (23 on 1/25/19)Playing time: 16 games (0 starts), 389 snaps (38.36% of defensive snaps), 78 ST snaps (17.77%)Key statistics: 35 tackles, 4 tackles for loss Dion Dawkins Jersey , 2 QB hits, 1 fumble recoveredPhillips turned out to be a very good draft choice by the Bills, as the former Stanford Cardinal stepped into a rotational role right away during his rookie season. Phillips was just as productive as Williams in terms of overall tackles, as each player had the same number on the year. The big difference in their numbers came in the form of quarterback hits, as Williams had 14 compared to two for Phillips. If “Horrible Harry” can step right into a starting role next year, it will allow the Bills to improve other positions of need; however, multiple mock drafts have Buffalo taking another defensive tackle early in the 2019 NFL Draft. In any case, Phillips will be part of the Bills’ defensive line next year.Kyle PekoContract status for 2019: Signed to reserve/future contract; $645,000 cap hit ($0 guaranteed)Age: 25 (26 on 7/23/19)Playing time: N/AKey statistics: N/APeko is the younger cousin of veteran nose tackle Domata Peko, currently of the Denver Broncos. Kyle Peko does not have the size or the pedigree of his older cousin, but he does possess solid athleticism for the position. He joined the Bills in September, signing with the team’s practice squad after his release from the Broncos’ practice squad. He has appeared in seven games during his NFL career, totaling eight tackles in the process.Robert ThomasContract status for 2019: Signed to reserve/future contract; $645,000 cap hit ($0 guaranteed)Age: 27 (28 on 2/19/19)Playing time: 2 games (0 starts) Authentic Matt Milano Jersey , 17 snaps (1.68% of defensive total)Key statistics: N/AThomas was called up from the practice squad for Buffalo’s games against the Los Angeles Chargers and the Minnesota Vikings in Weeks 2 and 3, respectively. He did not contribute much to the roster, but he did allow cornballs like Skarekrow and I to make plenty of Matchbox Twenty puns for a few weeks.Jordan PhillipsContract status for 2019: Unsigned; UFAAge: 26 (27 on 9/21/19)Playing time: 12 games (0 starts), 268 snaps (26.43% of defensive total), 47 ST snaps (10.71%)Key statistics: 19 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 3 passes defended, 1 fumble recoveryPhillips was claimed off waivers from the Miami Dolphins prior to Buffalo’s Week 5 tilt against the Tennessee Titans, and he made an immediate impact with the team. Phillips was a ball of energy from the start, and he did a great job eating space and helping to give Lotulelei a rest at various points throughout games. A former second-round pick, Phillips flamed out in Miami due to issues of work ethic, but he seemed to revel in the second chance he received in Buffalo. While he may want to test the market, the Bills would be wise to make contact with him and his representation to inquire about retaining his services. Positional OutlookIt would appear that Buffalo has two set defensive tackles going into next season, as neither Lotulelei nor Harrison Phillips are in danger of losing their roster spot. With the surname Phillips quickly becoming the new Williams in Buffalo (Cam Phillips Micah Hyde Jersey , a wide receiver, is on the team’s practice squad), the Bills might as well re-sign Jordan Phillips to keep the trio intact. Whether the team brings Jordan Phillips back or not, another defensive tackle will be necessary. With some outlets predicting that the Bills will spend their first draft choice on one, it’s possible that the Bills add a blue-chip talent here. If that pick is someone like Ed Oliver, then I can suspend my desire for an offensive player for a round. There have also been rumblings that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are looking to release Gerald McCoy, an outstanding veteran who has some gas left in the tank at 30 years old. The Bills need to add a player or two here. No matter how they do it, I think that retaining Jordan Phillips should be a priority. If the team has a chance to sign McCoy, that should be a no-brainer, allowing them to send their draft capital to help the offense. If McCoy’s price tag is too high, then drafting a potential stud in Oliver could be a great consolation prize. And yes, I’m still having trouble letting Kyle go. Today’s edition of the links is highlighted by some of Josh Allen’s top plays from the 2018 season. Updates also include a closer look at the offensive line, the hiring of Heath Farwell, and much more.Watch: Josh Allen's Record Setting Rookie Season - BuffaloBills.comIn his 11 starts Bills Rafael Bush Jersey , rookie quarterback Josh Allen set five new franchise records for both running and passing.2018 Buffalo Bills All-22 in Review: Interior Offensive Line - WKBWThe Buffalo Bills have a lot of needs in the 2019 off-season, but addressing the interior offensive line might be chief among them. 7ABC's Joe Buscaglia brings you his look at the players on the Bills roster, and his off-season recommendations for the team at guard and center.Josh Allen's growth and o-line's struggles: Q&A with Bills OT Jeremiah Sirles | NewYorkUpstate.comSirles discusses Allen's development, Dion Dawkins's potential and how the offensive line can get better.Offensive needs in a defense-heavy draft? How the 2019 draft could test Beane’s ‘best player available’ approach – The AthleticIn a draft stacked with defensive-line talent, how should the Bills use their No. 9 pick? Brandon Beane may have a conundrum on his hands. (Subscription required.)Bills hire Heath Farwell as special teams coordinator | WGR 550 SportsRadioFarwell was working as a special teams coach in Carolina.‘You don’t need it, but it’s great to have’: How far should the Bills be willing to go for a No. 1 receiver? – The AthleticThe Bills need talented pass-catchers for Josh Allen, but many debate whether the price of a true No. 1 is worth it in today's NFL. (Subscription required.)Where this team captain thinks the Bills need to improve the most - BuffaloBills.comThis week, the One Bills Live crew spoke with Lorenzo Alexander about where the defense needs to improve the most plus a number of other newsworthy Bills-related topics.Featured on Buffalo RumblingsRanking the biggest offensive needs for the Buffalo Bills - Buffalo RumblingsThe Bills have a lot of money to spend this off-season and almost the entire offense needs to be revamped.State of the Buffalo Bills roster, defensive ends: alright for now with Jerry Hughes, Trent Murphy, Shaq Lawson - Buffalo RumblingsThe Bills don’t need to make moves here...but will they?Buffalo Bills rookie report: Final grades - Buffalo RumblingsThe level of rookie participation during the Buffalo Bills’ 2018 season was rare. Out of the Bills’ eight draft selections, seven made the team and all of them saw offensive or defensive snaps. Which Buffalo Bills were most penalized in 2018? - Buffalo RumblingsWhich players advocated the hardest to add yellow as an official team color?Bill Links, 1/18: Buffalo Bills prepping for an active free agency - Buffalo RumblingsThe Bills have plenty of cap space this off-season.