Where do the Bills’ main defensive pieces rank among the NFL best at their respective positions? Here’s my list, plus, check the latest version of “Leading the Charge!”
The Buffalo Bills have consistently fielded some of the best defensive units in the league (at least in the regular season) since Sean McDermott became the team’s head coach. They’ve been able to line up a group of individuals able to learn the coaches’ schemes and execute them collectively at the highest level, with several players rising to NFL stardom in the process.
With some of those players past their primes and not even in Buffalo anymore, how are the Bills’ remaining defenders ranked among their NFL peers? In this two-article series, I’ll do my best to try and answer that question, fellow Rumblers, starting today with the defensive side of the ball.
Interior Defensive Lineman
Top-ranked Bills player: Ed Oliver
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Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Despite DaQuan Jones’ stellar form at the beginning of the last season, I believe Ed Oliver is pretty much a lock as Buffalo’s go-to player at the defensive tackle position. After re-signing with the team for a bargain price, he’s outplayed his contract by putting up a career year in 2023.
The former first-round pick has established himself as a disruptive force in the middle of Buffalo’s defense. He’s not the biggest defensive lineman in the league but, when used correctly, he can wreak havoc on opposing backfields. I don’t see Oliver as a top-10 DT in the league yet, but he’s trending there.
Players I’d surely take over him: Chris Jones (KC), Dexter Lawrence (NYG), Quinnen Williams (NYJ), Derrick Brown (CAR), Cam Hayward (PIT), DeForest Buckner (IND), Justin Madubuike (BAL), Jeffery Simmons (TEN), Jonathan Allen (WAS), Javon Hargrave (SF), Vita Vea (TB)
Ed Oliver’s NFL rank: Top 20
Edge Rusher
Top-ranked Bills player: Greg Rousseau
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Photo by Rich Barnes/Getty Images
I still have hope for Von Miller, as stated in my bold predictions article from a week ago. With that said, it’s undeniable that Greg Rousseau has been the most reliable and consistent performer among the team’s edge rushers recently. Groot is a dominant player against the run and a very good complementary pass rusher — using his blend of size, length and strength to pose difficulties to opposing tackles.
Despite not missing many games recently, the former first-round pick out of Miami has struggled with some lower leg injuries that have slowed him down. If he can avoid those, he still might have an extra gear to become a true DE1 for the Bills. Right now he’s nowhere near the league’s superstar edges but I see him as a very good DE2.
Players I’d surely take over him: Myles Garrett (CLE), Micah Parsons (DAL), Maxx Crosby (LV), Nick Bosa (SF), T.J. Watt (PIT), Aidan Hutchinson (DET), Joey Bosa (LAC), Khalil Mack (LAC), Trey Hendrickson (CIN), DeMarcus Lawrence (DAL), Josh Hines-Allen (JAX), Danielle Hunter (HOU), Haason Reddick (NYJ), Brian Burns (NYG), Will Anderson Jr. (HOU), Za’Darius Smith (CLE), Matthew Judon (NE)
Greg Rousseau’s NFL rank: Top 25
Linebacker
Top-ranked Bills player: Matt Milano (followed closely by Terrel Bernard)
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Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images
Well, the Bills have not just one of the best linebackers in the NFL, but also his clone — you’ve heard it first here about how good the Matt Milano/Terrel Bernard duo could be. Unfortunately, a grueling injury to Milano prevented us from watching greatness in 2023. Things, hopefully, will be different in 2024.
Milano seems to be trending in the right direction, recovery-wise. After taking part in some practices during minicamp, Milano's expected to gradually continue to be worked back into the starting lineup and should be available by Week 1.
It's always good to temper expectations with players coming back from injury, as we've seen recently with Tre'Davious White and Von Miller. Milano is among the best linebackers in the league, but patience will be needed so he can regain the confidence in his healed leg and return to an elite level of play.
Bernard, on the other hand, is coming off a breakout year where, despite the majority of casual NFL fans having no clue about him, his tape and numbers show that he played at an All-Pro level. Entering his third season, it's time for the former Baylor Bear to show that he can put together two seasons in a row at the highest level — and that he can help Milano in his process to recover his best form.
Together, Milano and Bernard should become the heart of this new version of Sean McDermott's defense in Buffalo. It's not a stretch to expect them to have the impact and the responsibility that Luke Kuechly and Thomas Davis used to have with McDermott as part of the Carolina Panthers.
Buffalo’s starting linebacker duo can make game-changing plays within every aspect of the defensive game — when blitzing, playing the run, or in coverage. They should also play a crucial role in the communication aspect of the defense, with Bernard entering the second season with the green dot and Milano having the knowledge of being there since McDermott first arrived. It’s hard to name a handful of players I’d take over Milano, or even over Bernard, right now.
Players I’d surely take over them: Fred Warner (SF) Roquan Smith (BAL)
Maybe: Demario Davis (NO), C.J. Mosley (NYJ), Nick Bolton (KC)
Matt Milano’s NFL rank: Top 5
Terrel Bernard’s NFL rank: Top 10
Nickel Cornerback
Top-ranked Bills player: Taron Johnson
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Photo by Lauren Leigh Bacho/Getty Images
Taron Johnson has become one of the most unique players in the league, playing almost 100% of the defensive snaps and essentially functioning as the team’s weakside linebacker in base 4-3 defense. But as we well know, Johnson also plays the nickel DB role and offers some interesting options in swapping roles with the safeties post snap within exotic looks adopted by Sean McDermott.
I’m not sure many players in the league can do what Johnson is asked to do, every single week.
Players I’d surely take over him: Trent McDuffie (KC)
Maybe: Michael Carter II (NYJ)
Taron Johnson’s NFL rank: Top 3
Outside Cornerback
Top-ranked Bills player: Christian Benford (followed closely by Rasul Douglas)
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Photo by Lauren Leigh Bacho/Getty Images
I have Benford and Douglas essentially next to each other when ranking them against other NFL cornerbacks. Both are big, physical corners who can tackle and excel playing in the Bills’ zone-heavy schemes. Rasul makes more game-changing plays right now, but is more susceptible to getting beat when playing man.
How often 2023 CBs lined up in single coverage and how well they prevented separation pic.twitter.com/mEz4694a0A
— Jrfortgang (@throwthedamball) June 24, 2024
Benford, on the other hand, is faster and more versatile. He also started to make more plays on the ball this past season and seems like another late-round gem found by general manager Brandon Beane and his scouting department. Benford is still a relatively unknown NFL player, but his time flying under the radar may not last much longer.
The Bills don’t have, right now, one of the premier man-to-man corners in the league, but their starters certainly can play at a very high level when properly used.
Players I’d surely take over them: Sauce Gardner (NYJ), Patrick Surtain II (DEN), Jaire Alexander (GB), L’Jarius Sneed (TEN), Jalen Ramsey (MIA), Marlon Humphrey (BAL), Derek Stingley Jr. (HOU), Denzel Ward (CLE), Jaylon Johnson (CHI), Charvarius Ward (SF)
Christian Benford and Rasul Douglas’ NFL rank: Top 20
Safety
Top-ranked Bill: No clue
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Photo by Bryan Bennett/Getty Images
After deciding to move on from their long-time starting safeties duo, there’s no way we can rank the top player at the position in this roster. It’s a wide-open battle for the two starting jobs, with Taylor Rapp, Mike Edwards, and rookie 2nd round pick Cole Bishop as the favorites to lock down them by the start of the 2024 NFL season.
Rapp is a former starter on a Super Bowl-winning team. He also was already with the Bills last year, what gives him an advantage as far as knowing the schemes. Edwards is coming from a Super Bowl win as well, after becoming a starter for the Chiefs down the stretch. Bishop certainly is the player that offers the biggest potential in this group. However, he’s a rookie with a lot to learn.
Right now it’s really difficult to rank them among themselves, and even worse trying to envision how they compare to their NFL peers individually. We have an idea about both of the veterans but, just like Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer before them, they can simply become a better version of themselves under Sean McDermott’s tutelage. If at least one of them can do so, and the rookie develops really well, this ranking can look very different in a year from now.
Players I’d surely take over them: Antoine Winfield Jr. (TB), Kyle Hamilton (BAL), Jesse Bates III (ATL), Minkah Fitzpatrick (PIT), Jevon Holland (MIA), Derwin James Jr. (LAC), Kyle Dugger (NE), Kevin Byard (CHI), Talanoa Hufanga (SF), Tyrann Mathieu (NO), Budda Baker (ARI), Harrison Smith (MIN), Marcus Williams (BAL), Xavier McKinney (GB), Malik Hooker (DAL), Geno Stone (CIN), Darnell Savage Jr. (JAX), Andre Cisco (JAX), Jimmie Ward (HOU), Grant Delpit (CLE)
Bills’ safeties NFL rank: Top 30
Final thoughts
The Buffalo Bills’ defense doesn’t have premier talent in some key areas right now — no elite pass rusher in the trenches, nor top-tier ball hawks in the secondary. To be successful, this unit will rely a lot on their elite second-level players — the linebacker duo plus the nickel CB. Those guys will be asked to help and improve all areas of the defense with their all-around play and communication.
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Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images
Alongside that, the head coach’s defensive schemes should help to maximize the play of some players and positions that aren’t viewed as top-notch right now but could become that soon. During McDermott’s tenure, the team has found great defensive backs, and also boasts a front that’s generated a lot of pressure on opposing quarterbacks recently without relying on a superstar pass rusher to lead the way.
It’s never just about the quality of the players, but also their willingness to sacrifice themselves for a greater goal. Overall, it’s not a star-studded defensive roster, but it has enough good players to, if well-utilized, field yet again a top-five to top-10 defense in the league.
Catch up with all this and more within my latest edition of Leading the Charge!