A piece there. A piece here.
All those pieces are starting to make something and that is a powerhouse front seven.
With the 80th overall pick in the 2016 NFL draft, the Buffalo Bills again picked a player on the defensive side of the ball and it was Adolphus Washington. The team is three-for-three for picks on defense and Washington brings much more to the table than his on-the-field ability.
When the Bills brought in Washington, they brought him in with some of his Ohio State teammates on a pre-draft visit. This helped to see how Washington meshed with his friends and teammates.
"We wanted to see (who had what) role," Whaley said. "Adolphus was one of the guys that when he spoke a lot of people listened. He didn't dominate the conversation, but when he said something, all the guys that were with us paid attention. It taught us, it showed us that he has respect of his teammates."
Washington has a chance to become a big impact player on the line. The coaching staff gave a positive image of Buffalo during those pre-draft meetings.
"I actually feel like that was the best meeting I had," he said. "You know I feel like the coaches were honest with me. Coach Rex Ryan pulled me (aside) and he told me … he was probably going to take me, and he kept his word."
He complements his leadership qualities with his rare ability along the defensive front. Don't let his size, (6-3, 301) deceive you. At Ohio State, he racked up 13.5 sacks and 25 tackles for a loss in his 49 games, with 31 starts. He has a knack to get to the quarterback and that's what Whaley likes about him.
"The combination of quickness and he's got a complement of moves, which is rare for an inside rusher," Whaley said. "So that's the type of guy that once we go sub, with his quickness, he's going to get those interior offensive linemen some trouble."
A question for Washington's role is if he'll be in the five-technique or a nose tackle. His main position for the Buckeyes was inside at defensive tackle, but Washington is ready to play wherever the need is greatest.
"I don't really think it'll matter," Washington said shortly after being drafted. "I'm ready to go in and play whatever position they need me to play… I can play the five (DE in 3-4). I can play the three (penetrating DT)."
Even though it's much too early to determine his positioning on the team, Whaley notes that it's scheme and opponent based.
"Well he might play five, he might play nose," Whaley said. "I think there's some versatility. I think it all depends on the package."
Washington was a great value in the minds of the Bills' execs in the third round and will compete for a starting role. Whaley said that Washington is a second round talent.
Buffalo's defensive additions figure to revitalize their front seven after the unit lost a pair of starters to free agency. Washington will only add to the talent base up front with a skill set that gives the Bills defensive staff more options.
