The Buffalo Bills defense has been forced to overcome a lot of injuries this season, and it’s shown at times. Most notably, All-Pro linebacker Matt Milano hasn’t played since suffering a bicep injury in training camp. He’s back practicing, which could provide the unit with a massive boost down the stretch.
Milano would represent much-needed reinforcement for a defense that ranks 16th in yards allowed per game (329.1) and ninth in points allowed per contest (21.3). Stopping the run has been the most consistent problem as Buffalo is 29th in rushing yards allowed per carry (4.9).
Yesterday, we examined the offense and handed out bye-week grades on that side of the ball. Now it’s time to analyze the defense as the banged-up Bills enjoy a weekend off.
Buffalo Bills Bye-Week Player Grades (Defense)
Edge Rushers
Greg Rousseau (A-)
Rousseau looked ready for a monster season after posting three sacks in the Bills’ Week 1 win over the Arizona Cardinals. While his sack numbers have faded (just 2.5 in the past 10 games), he’s become a well-rounded defensive end capable of playing in any situation. He’ll be the ultimate X-factor heading into the postseason given his game-wrecker upside.
A.J. Epenesa (B)
Epenesa is like a good third-line center in hockey. Not the most skilled or dynamic player, but still highly effective and vitally important to the team’s success. His five sacks, two forced fumbles, and two passes defended illustrate his wide-ranging involvement.
Von Miller (C+)
Miller was one of the NFL’s worst players in 2023 after returning from a torn ACL. The eight-time Pro Bowl showed signs of bouncing back early in the season, tallying three sacks in the first four games, but then he received a four-game suspension for a violation of the league’s personal conduct policy.
The future Hall of Famer hasn’t been nearly as productive since his return. He’s picked up just one sack in three appearances, and his overall impact has looked far closer to last year’s disaster. The Bills desperately need him to regain his form before the playoffs.
Dawuane Smoot (C)
The Bills signed Smoot with the hope he could provide some rotational value given the uncertainty around Miller. The veteran defensive end had 1.5 sacks in seven games before landing on injured reserve with a wrist injury. He should return before the end of the regular season, but his impact is modest at best.
Casey Toohill (C)
Toohill has a limited role on the edge, playing mostly in early-down rushing situations. He’s done that well in most cases, so he’s carved out a niche and consistent playing time, but that’s the extent of which he can provide a defense that needs more pressure on the opposing quarterback.
Javon Solomon (C-)
Solomon racked up 16 sacks last year in his final college season. Although he’s flashed some juice on the edge, highlighted by a pair of sacks, he’s still very much a work in progress as an all-around player. Buffalo will hope he’s ready for a bigger snap share in 2025.
Defensive Tackles
DaQuan Jones (C+)
The Bills’ struggles stopping the run start with the men in the middle, Jones and Oliver. They combined to create one of the NFL’s best interior duos last year, but that hasn’t been the case so far in 2024. While Jones has been slightly more impactful, that’s not saying much, especially relative to the high expectations.
Ed Oliver (C-)
Oliver is one of the league’s biggest disappointments to this point of the campaign. His numbers are down drastically across the board and he’s gone entire games without making a high-impact play. That must change if the Bills’ defense is going to improve before the playoffs.
Austin Johnson (D+)
Johnson has popped up on the highlight reel a few times thanks to the first two interceptions of the 6’4”, 314-pound tackle’s nine-year career. He’s otherwise been mostly a non-factor, though. He gets pushed around far too much by opposing offensive lines in the run game.
Quinton Jefferson (TBD)
The Bills signed Jefferson after failing to land a defensive tackle ahead of the Nov. 5 trade deadline. It’s too early for a grade, but he did record an important sack in the Bills’ Week 10 win over the Indianapolis Colts. He may surpass Johnson as the No. 3 DT before the playoffs.
Linebackers
Terrel Bernard (A-)
Bernard became one of the NFL’s most important defensive players after Milano’s injury and he’s once again risen to the challenge. His sideline-to-sideline playmaking ability has allowed him to record 57 total tackles, three passes defended, two interceptions, and a sack in eight games.
While he’s already been one of the Bills’ best defenders, it’s plausible he’ll get even better down the stretch as his pectoral and ankle injuries move further in the rearview mirror.
Dorian Williams (C)
Williams is tied for ninth in the NFL with 97 total tackles. Even though he possesses great speed for a linebacker, which allows him to make some extra tackles, his play-reading ability is poor. His inability to attack at the right angle has been a significant reason for the defense’s struggles against the run. He’s filled in for Milano admirably, but he’s better as a reserve than a full-time starter.
Baylon Spector (D)
Spector struggled after being thrust into the starting lineup when Bernard was injured. His 40.0 overall grade from Pro Football Focus showcases those issues. He’s currently on IR with a calf injury and may not have a spot on the 53-man roster once healthy with Milano nearing a return.
Cornerbacks
Taron Johnson (A)
Johnson continues to put himself in the conversation as the best slot cornerback in the NFL. Since Buffalo only uses two linebackers in its base defense, the 28-year-old California native is called on frequently in run support and he’s excelled in that role. All that while regularly shutting down opponents’ slot receivers.
Christian Benford (A-)
Benford has backed up his breakout 2023 season with another terrific campaign. Although he’s already emerged as a true shutdown corner, he’s continued to expand his game by becoming a more willing contributor against the run. It’s fair to call him a true No. 1 corner at this stage.
Rasul Douglas (B)
Douglas saved a Bills secondary decimated by injuries last year after being acquired at the trade deadline. While he hasn’t played quite as well in 2024, he’s still a rock-solid perimeter corner capable of holding his in man coverage. His work in the zone could be better, though.
Cam Lewis (B-)
Here’s a stat that may surprise a lot of people, including Bills fans: Lewis ranks fifth on Buffalo in total tackles with 53. He’s a Swiss Army knife who operates as a key special-teams contributor, dime corner and occasional box safety. Glue guys like him are crucial to any team’s success.
Safeties
Taylor Rapp (C+)
Rapp is a boom-or-bust player. He’s willing to take risks to make a big play and isn’t afraid to land a ferocious hit. Sometimes it does help turn the tide in Buffalo’s favor, but it can also lead to blown coverages and penalties. It’ll be interesting to see how that style translates in the playoffs.
Damar Hamlin (C)
Hamlin’s reemergence as a starter is an inspirational story. He should win Comeback Player of the Year to correct the mistake from last year when the award wrongly went to Joe Flacco.
On the field, he’s limited athletically causing some problems in coverage. That said, he knows the Bills’ defensive scheme like the back of his hand. It’s helped erase mistakes, which is a safety’s main job, and helped him tally 65 tackles, five passes defended, and a pair of interceptions.
Main Photo: Mark Konezny-Imagn Images
