I feel like I have said this a million times at this point, but the 2015 Buffalo Bills defense was not what fans or the team expected it would be. Across the front seven, players declined as they struggled to adjust to Rex Ryan’s scheme which ultimately sank the team’s ship for the season. If the Bills want to make the postseason in 2016, they are going to have to add some defensive personnel that fits Ryan’s scheme.

At linebacker, the team quietly needs some help. Nigel Bradham is a free agent, and he may not stick around if he gets a big offer from another team. That said, Ryan could find a replacement by signing one of his former players, Demario Davis, away from the New York Jets.

Davis was a former third-round pick by Ryan in the 2012 NFL Draft. Davis played his college ball at Arkansas State and at the time he was considered to be a bit of a reach. Davis gradually improved through his first few seasons and eventually became a full-time starter for the squad in his second year. In 2014, Ryan’s last season with the Jets, Davis played well in all facets and had developed into a good starter.

However, under new head coach Todd Bowles, Davis was unable to continue his success. He saw drops in total tackles, pass defenses and sacks and did not look comfortable in Bowles’ scheme. Davis is likely to leave New York this offseason, and I would assume that he would like to reunite with his former head coach.

As for Buffalo, even if they sign Bradham to a long-term deal, they could use some depth at the linebacker position. AJ Tarpley, Ty Powell and Tony Steward are all good special teams players, but none of them are really quality backups. Davis could come in and be a great situational player at the very least, and he would certainly add depth to the Bills’ linebackers, who were beleaguered by injuries last season.

It just makes sense for Davis to be one of the targets for the Bills this offseason. He has a history with Ryan, Buffalo needs a linebacker, and the Jets are probably not interested in re-signing him. It’s a perfect storm of events that could end up landing Davis with the Bills.