Analysis
6/3/23
2 min read
Extension for Bills' Ed Oliver Latest for 2019 Draft Defensive Linemen
The strength of the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft was its defensive lineman, a point that was reiterated Saturday when Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Ed Oliver agreed to a four-year, $68 million extension, ESPN reported. The contract includes $48 million in guaranteed money and ties Oliver, playing 2023 on his fifth-year option, to the Bills for the next five seasons.
Oliver, the No. 9 overall pick in 2019, became the third high-profile lineman from that draft class to receive a big-money extension in the past two months.
In early April, Tennessee Titans DT Jeffery Simmons inked a four-year, $94 million extension that included $66 million guaranteed. In early May, New York Giants DT Dexter Lawrence agreed to a four-year, $90 million extension with $60 million guaranteed. Lawrence was the 17th pick and Simmons the 19th in 2019.
Oliver had three sacks, nine tackles for a loss and 29 pressures in 2022 to go with 34 total tackles. He missed four games due to injury. He has been by far the most productive interior presence on the Bills' defense.
A member of the 2018 draft class, Washington Commanders DT Daron Payne kicked off the resigning binge before free agency opened in March. Payne got a four-year, $90 million deal that included $60 million in guaranteed money.
Who Will Be the Next to Sign?
Oliver's deal could further agitate New York Jets DT Quinnen Williams, who expressed his displeasure about his contract situation earlier this springNew York Jets DT Quinnen Williams, who earlier this spring expressed his displeasure about his contract situation. Williams was the third overall pick in 2019.
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Williams is just the tip of the iceberg, however. Second overall pick Nick Bosa of the San Francisco 49ers, who is the NFL's reigning Defensive Player of the Year, likely will re-set the market at defensive end. Green Bay Packers edge Rashan Gary, the 12th overall pick, also is in line for a big extension even though he's recovering from a torn ACL that ended his 2022 season prematurely.
Other high-profile linemen from that draft seeking extensions include DT Christian Wilkins (13th overall) of the Miami Dolphins and Payne's Commanders teammate DE Montez Sweat (26th).
