Entering the 2022 offseason the Bills had six defensive linemen on expiring contracts. On Thursday they began to address the vacancies by signing free agent DT Tim Settle to a two-year contract.
The Washington Commanders free agent has been a productive rotational player in his first four seasons as he played behind a starting unit made up of first-round draft choices. Built low to the ground with a wide frame, Settle often wins leverage battles at the line of scrimmage and penetrates into the offensive backfield to make plays.
Settle has the anchoring ability to play the nose tackle role in Buffalo's 4-3, but also possesses the quickness to rotate in for spot duty at the three-technique (outside shade of guard) defensive tackle position typically manned by Ed Oliver.
In 2020, when Settle played a career high 33 percent of the snaps he posted a career best 19 tackles, five sacks and seven quarterback hits. The Bills undoubtedly believe that Settle can deliver similar production in Buffalo's rotational system on their defensive line.
Set to turn just 25-years old in July, Settle is a former college teammate of Bills linebacker Tremaine Edmunds as the two were teammates for three years at Virginia Tech.
Here's a list of players the Bills have signed in free agency this year.
Los Angeles Rams linebackers Von Miller, center, and Leonard Floyd, left, celebrate following the team's victory parade in Los Angeles, Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2022, after their win Sunday over the Cincinnati Bengals in the NFL Super Bowl 56 football game. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
FILE - In this Sept. 29, 2019, file photo, Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Gardner Minshew (15) throws a pass under pressure from Denver Broncos outside linebacker Von Miller, left, during the first half of an NFL football game in Denver. Denver has lost both home games on last-second field goals. ... One way to turn that around would be for star linebacker Miller to start getting to quarterbacks. Miller has 10½ sacks in his last 10 home games but just two sacks this season. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File)
Los Angeles Rams outside linebacker Von Miller (40) reacts after Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow, bottom, was sacked during the second half of the NFL Super Bowl 56 football game Sunday, Feb. 13, 2022, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Carolina Panthers' Brian Burns (53) sacks New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) as DaQuan Jones (90) closes in during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Carolina Panthers defensive end DaQuan Jones looks on against the New England Patriots during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 7, 2021, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Carolina Panthers defensive tackle DaQuan Jones (90) sets for a tackle against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during an NFL football game Jan. 9, 2022 in Tampa, Fla. Tampa Bay won 41-17. (Al Messerschmidt via AP)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end O.J. Howard (80) stands on the sideline during an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Jan. 16, 2022, in Tampa, Fla. The Buccaneers won 31-15. (Perry Knotts via AP)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end O.J. Howard (80) gets set to catch a touchdown pass during an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Thursday, Oct. 14, 2021, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Rich Schultz)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end O.J. Howard (80) runs the ball past New Orleans Saints defensive back Chauncey Gardner-Johnson (22) during an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 31, 2021, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Tyler Kaufman)
Washington Football Team defensive tackle Tim Settle (97) rushes during an NFL game against the New York Giants, Sunday, Nov. 8, 2020, in Landover, MD. The Giants defeated Washington 23-20. (Al Tielemans via AP)
Tremaine Edmunds (49) and Tim Settle (97) Buffalo Bills vs Washington Football Team at Highmark Stadium, September 26, 2021. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills middle linebacker Tremaine Edmunds (49) and Washington Redskins defensive tackle Tim Settle (97) Buffalo Bills vs Washington Redskins, November 3, 2019 at New Era Field. Photo by Bill Wippert
Washington Football Team defensive tackle Tim Settle (97) reacts after recovering a fumble against the New York Giants during an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Jordan Phillips (97) Buffalo Bills at Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field on December 15, 2019. Photo by Craig Melvin
Jordan Phillips; Buffalo Bills vs. Cincinnati Bengals at New Era Field, September 22, 2019. Photo by Sara Schmidle
Jordan Phillips. Buffalo Bills at Cleveland Browns, November 10, 2019 at FirstEnergy Stadium. Photo by Sara Schmidle
Marquel Lee (52), Olaijah Griffin (37). Buffalo Bills vs Chicago Bears, Preseason Week 2, August 21, 2021 at Soldier Field. Photo by Bill Wippert
Marquel Lee (52) at Buffalo Bills 2021 Media Day. July 27, 2021. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills defensive end Shaq Lawson (90) Buffalo Bills vs Dallas Cowboys, November 28, 2019 at AT&T Stadium. Photo by Bill Wippert
Shaq Lawson sack. Buffalo Bills vs Dallas Cowboys, November 28, 2019 at AT&T Stadium. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills defensive end Shaq Lawson (90) at Buffalo Bills at Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field on December 15, 2019. Photo by Craig Melvin
Buffalo Bills quarterback Matt Barkley (5) Buffalo Bills vs Baltimore Ravens, December 8, 2019 at New Era Field. Photo by Bill Wippert
Matt Barkley (5) Buffalo Bills vs Miami Dolphins, September 20, 2020 at Hard Rock Stadium. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills quarterback Matt Barkley (5) Buffalo Bills vs New York Jets at New Era Field, December 29, 2019. Photo by Jeffrey T. Barnes
Miami Dolphins offensive lineman Greg Mancz (62) sideline portrait during an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021 in Miami. The Colts won, 27-17. (Ric Tapia via AP)
Miami Dolphins guard Greg Mancz (62) snaps the ball during the first half of an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, Sunday, Oct. 17, 2021. The Jaguars defeated The Dolphins 23-20. (AP Photo/Gary McCullough)
New York Jets' Jamison Crowder, center, celebrates his touchdown with teammates during an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans, Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Jets wide receiver Jamison Crowder (82) runs after a catch during the first half of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Joshua Bessex)
New York Jets wide receiver Jamison Crowder (82) stands on the sideline prior to an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Stew Milne)
Miami Dolphins running back Duke Johnson (28) warms up before an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints, Monday, Dec. 27, 2021, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Tyler Kaufman)
Miami Dolphins running back Duke Johnson (28) stiff arms New York Jets cornerback Brandin Echols (26) as he runs with the ball during an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Dec. 19, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Doug Murray)
Miami Dolphins running back Duke Johnson (28) breaks away from New Orleans Saints linebacker Zack Baun (53) during the second half of an NFL football game Monday, Dec. 27, 2021, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
