Who will fill the Von Miller void at edge rusher?

This is the fifth in a 10-part series previewing Buffalo Bills training camp 2023.

Von Miller loves to talk. He loves to talk more than 99% of the professional athlete population – not just the NFL, but all sports.

He also loves to make bold predictions, and as a prognosticator – both Odell Beckham and DeAndre Hopkins becoming Buffalo Bills, for instance – well, let’s just say he’s a far better edge rusher.

One of Miller’s latest declarations came right at the end of mandatory mini camp in mid-June when he said he’s feeling great and that while he’s listening to the doctors and the trainers, he still thinks he’s going to be back sooner than they originally said, and that Week 1 is a possibility.

“If I can go, I’m going to be able to go,” said Miller. “I’ll have some reps in training camp to help get me ready for Week 1.”

The Bills would love for that prediction to come true, but more likely it seems like Miller would be a candidate for the physically unable to perform list, meaning he would be ineligible for the first four games.

If that’s what happens, the Bills are going to need someone to step up and become the edge rusher the opposing team has to worry most about. Greg Rousseau, the 2021 first-round pick, has enjoyed two pretty good seasons and he would be the prime candidate to fill the void of Miller’s absence, but he really didn’t do that last season after Miller went down Thanksgiving Day.

Rousseau missed three games with an injury before Miller got hurt and then made only three sacks in his final seven games counting the postseason.

“I thought he had a good year one and a better year two,” coach Sean McDermott said. “He’s an extremely driven, conscientious young man that works at his craft. When you have that DNA … to me the sky’s the limit as he moves forward.” Well, in year three, that better be the case for a first-round pick.

Leonard Floyd, a late free agent signing, could certainly become the go-to rusher….