If you read my previous two articles on the Buffalo Bills headed into the 2025 season you could see that I feel they have a very strong chance to win it all next year. The offense was one of the most explosive and effective offenses in the NFL during the 2024 season. But the defense under defensive minded head coach Sean McDermott unfortunately let the team down come playoff time. With a defensive minded head coach that is disappointing but McDermott has proven to be a fine NFL head coach throughout the years. Headed into next season, Buffalo’s offense, if Josh Allen is healthy, will almost certainly be one of the premier NFL offenses. The defense will need to carry its load however and return to the elite form that it had in year’s past with Sean McDermott as the head coach. McDermott has been the head coach of Buffalo for eight seasons now and has had the Bills field an elite defense on four of the eight occasions. In four of eight seasons the Bills’ defense has ranked as a top 4 scoring defense in the NFL under the tutelage of McDermott. Take out the first two seasons of the McDermott era where the team was mostly rebuilding and Josh Allen was not close to the player he is now, and Buffalo has fielded an elite defense with McDermott in four of his six seasons. The remaining two seasons the Bills’ defense finished exactly average in terms of points allowed at 16th once with them ranking 11th in the other instance which was of course this past season. Headed into next season with the Bills’ 2024 rookie NFL defensive coordinator headed into year 2 as an NFL defensive coordinator, I certainly liken the Bills’ chances of returning to elite defensive form under McDermott. Beginning with my assessment of Buffalo on the defensive side of the ball headed into next season, I will first assess how the team looked like defensively last season.
Buffalo Bills 2024 Major Defensive Metrics
26th in overall defense grade according to Pro Football Focus
11th in points per game allowed
17th in yards per game allowed
As you can see from the above, although the Bills nearly ranked in the top ten in terms of points per game allowed, the defense left much to be desired. Buffalo was graded by Pro Football Focus as one of the weakest overall defensive teams in the NFL and ranked below average in terms of yards per game allowed. Headed into next season the improvements that the Bills hope to see on the defensive side of things will stem from not only their rookie NFL defensive coordinator going into year 2, but also the personnel that Buffalo fields on the defensive end. I have conducted an analysis of the Bills’ defensive personnel in the 2024 season and also headed into the 2025 season as well. I have included the defense grade that each player in each unit was assigned by Pro Football Focus over the course of the 2024 season. In addition to it I have included my own subjective grade of the player that indicates how strong I feel they are in totality outside of just the 2024 season. Beginning below with the front seven of the team during the 2024 campaign.
Buffalo Bills 2024 Front Seven Personnel
Interior Defensive Line
DL – Ed Oliver – (21/146) defense grade in 2024 over 603 snaps, B+
DL – DaQuan Jones – (45/146) defense grade in 2024 over 547 snaps, B+
DL – DeWayne Carter – (131/146) defense grade in 2024 over 315 snaps, D+ so far as 2024 third round pick
DL – Austin Johnson – (84/146) defense grade in 2024 over 307 snaps, C
DL – Jordan Phillips – (131/146) defense grade in 2024 over 143 snaps, C
DL – Zion Logue – (146/146) defense grade in 2024 over 36 snaps, D- so far as ’24 6th rd
DL – Eli Ankou – (117/146) defense grade in 2024 over 34 snaps, C
DL – Branson Deen – 9 career snaps as 2024 UDFA
Edge Defenders
ED – Gregory Rousseau – (12/135) defense grade in 2024 over 736 snaps, A-
ED – A.J Epenesa – (110/135) defense grade in 2024 over 613 snaps, C+
ED – Dawuane Smoot – (97/135) defense grade in 2024 over 322 snaps, C to C+
ED – Von Miller – (15/135) defense grade in 2024 over 279 snaps, B+ to A-
ED – Casey Toohill – (126/135) defense grade in 2024 over 249 snaps, C
ED – Javon Soloman – (31/135) defense grade in 2024 over 135 snaps, B so far as ’24 5th rd
ED – Kinglsey Jonathan – only 7 snaps in 2024, C+ to B- in very limited snaps
Linebackers
LB – Terrel Bernard – (86/92) defense grade in 2024 over 750 snaps, C
LB – Dorian Williams – (53/92) defense grade in 2024 over 651 snaps, C
LB – Baylon Spector – (92/92) defense grade in 2024 over 291 snaps, D-
LB – Matt Milano – (85/92) defense grade in 2024 over 183 snaps, B to B+
LB – Joe Andreesen – (21/92) defense grade in 2024 over 115 snaps, B so far as ’24 UDFA
LB – Edefuan Ulofoshio – (27/92) defense grade in 2024 over 65 snaps, B so far as ’24 5th rd
LB – Nicholas Morrow – (85/92) defense grade in 2024 over 44 snaps, C to C+
Buffalo Bills 2024 Key Front Seven Metrics
12th in rushing yards per game allowed
27th in run defense grade according to Pro Football Focus
6th in pass rush grade according to Pro Football Focus
18th in sacks
As you can see from this final set of data as well as the personnel that I listed of the team, the Bills had a hit and miss front seven during the 2024 season. On the interior of the defensive front, Ed Oilver and DaQuan Jones formed a very formidable tandem. Off the edge, Gregory Rousseau was remarkable, grading among the best overall edge defenders in the NFL this past season. With all three of those players ranking in the B+ to A- range as overall players in my estimation. However, outside of those three players who were very strong for Buffalo this past season, the remainder of the players in the front seven left much to be desired. 2024 third round rookie DeWayne Carter on the interior of the defensive front had a forgettable rookie season. Off the edge veteran Von Miller and rookie Javon Soloman were capable of playing at a high level but injuries and youth kept them on the sideline too much. The Bills’ linebacking core performed at one of the weakest levels in the NFL during the 2024 season. As Terrel Bernard and Dorian Williams led the team in snaps but both graded in the below average to well below average range in terms of an overall defense grade according to Pro Football Focus. As typically highly productive veteran Matt Milano was unable to consistently stay on the field due to injury. While Buffalo had one late round rookie and one undrafted rookie perform well in limited rookie snaps at linebacker but were unable to see the field as much due to inexperience primarily. Buffalo still had their front seven produce at a solid rate this past season but headed into next season it has a ton of room to improve. The improvements that the team is hoping to see is tied to young players growing, the unit hopefully staying healthier, along with some off-season additions panning out. The projected 2025 Bills’ front seven lineup can be found below.
Projected 2025 Buffalo Bills’ Front Seven Lineup
Starters
LDE – Gregory Rousseau – A-
LDT – DaQuan Jones – B+
RDT – Ed Oliver – B+
RDE – Joey Bosa – B+
WLB – Matt Milano – B to B+
MLB – Terrel Bernard – C
SLB – Dorian Williams – C
Reserves
ED – Landon Jackson – 2025 third rounder
DT – Deone Walker – 2025 fourth rounder
DT – T.J Sanders – 2025 second rounder
ED – A.J Epenesa – C+
LB – Shaq Thompson – B to B+
LB – Baylon Spector – D
LB – Keonta Jenkins – UDFA 2025
ED – Hayden Harris – UDFA 2025
DT – Zion Logue – D-
DT – DeWayne Carter – D+ so far as 2024 third rounder
ED – Javon Solomon – B to B+ so far as 2024 fifth rounder
LB – Edefuan Ulofoshio – B so far as 2024 fifth rounder
LB – Joe Andreesen – B to B+ so far as 2024 UDFA
ED – Michael Hoecht – C
DT – Casey Rogers – UDFA 2024, well below average in 33 career snaps
DT – Marcus Harris – 7th round 2024, 0 career snaps
DT – Paris Shand – UDFA 2025
Headed into the next season, the first three players on the Buffalo defensive line in Gregory Rousseau, DaQuan Jones, and Ed Oliver remain the same as this past season. Those three players I all evaluated to be in the B+ to A- range as overall players and those three form a strong foundation for the Buffalo defensive line. The issue last season was that veteran edge rusher Von Miller was supposed to fill the last starting defensive line spot but was unable to stay on the field as much due to injury. Although Miller was very productive during his time on the field, he was only able to log less than 300 snaps on the season due to injury. Buffalo has acquired veteran edge rusher Joey Bosa to play that role during the 2025 season while Von Miller remains unsigned. If Bosa can produce near to his prime level, then the Bills’ first four defensive lineman will rank up there with that of any team in the NFL. That is a big if, however, because Bosa has struggled with injuries for the past three seasons in a row now. Bosa in his prime made five pro bowls and he will play next season at the age of thirty years old. I think Bosa, still being in his prime age, while now having to carry less of a load on the defensive front, can certainly return to near his peak next season.
The linebacking core next season for the Bills remains a concern as it was this past season. Veteran Matt Milano who has made a pro bowl and an all-pro team while still being in his early 30s leads the unit. Milano missed the vast majority of last season due to injury and was very subpar during his time on the field. If he can produce the way he did prior to the injury he sustained last season, then the Bills will have one above average to well above average linebacker in their front seven. However, that is not certain to occur as Milano will play next season at an advanced age of 31 and really struggled during his limited time on the field in 2024. The remaining two starting linebacker spots remain a concern as they were this past season as well. As Terrel Bernand and Dorian Williams are currently in line to start but I have my questions about both players. Both players were drafted pretty high in the third round of the 2022 and 2023 NFL Drafts. Both players have shown they are capable but neither has proven to be a sure-fire starter as of yet. As I evaluated both players to be C caliber players as of now. Perhaps head coach Sean McDermott is optimistic that those two players can break out next season given their high draft standing and solid play at times. If not, the team has more than a few backup players capable of stepping into a starting role. The team has signed veteran Shaq Thompson this offseason who although he is aging as he will be 31 years old next season, he has still consistently been an above average to a well above average player throughout his career. Buffalo also had one late round pick who was a rookie in 2024 as well as one undrafted 2024 rookie both play very well in limited rookie snaps last season at linebacker. With those two players being Joe Andreesen and Edefuan Ulofoshio who both have the potential to emerge as very strong players entering year 2 in the NFL.
From a depth standpoint in the front seven the Bills have an abundance of talent and will likely get very strong reserve play and/or have some players capable of filling starting spots. The team selected three separate defensive linemen in this year’s draft with a 2nd, 3rd, and 4th round pick. A.J Epenesa is a former second round pick who has underwhelmed in totality thus far in the NFL but has still shown some promise as well. Shaq Thompson was signed this offseason and as of now projects to be one of the premier reserve linebackers in the NFL. 2024 third rounder DeWayne Carter struggled as a rookie but headed into year two can certainly improve and reach his potential. Edge defender Javon Solomon had a very strong rookie season in 2024 as a fifth-round pick and is in line to build off it headed into next season. The aforementioned 2024 rookies in Edefuan Ulofoshio and Joe Andreesen at linebacker are in position to provide the Bills with very strong depth as of now. With both of those players having the potential to step into a starting role given the Bills’ starting linebacker concerns. I have conducted a similar analysis of the Bills secondary during 2024 and also headed into the 2025 season below.
2024 Buffalo Bills Secondary
Safeties
S – Damar Hamlin – (70/104) defense grade in 2024 over 875 snaps, C
S – Taylor Rapp – (75/104) defense grade in 2024 over 779 snaps, C+
S – Cam Lewis – (69/104) defense grade in 2024 over 597 snaps, C+
S – Cole Bishop – (98/104) defense grade in 2024 over 358 snaps, D+ so far as ’24 2nd rd
S – Kareem Jackson – (38/104) defense grade in 2024 over 33 snaps, C+ to B-
S – Mike Edwards – (27/104) defense grade in 2024 over 191 snaps, C+ to B-
Cornerbacks
CB – Christian Benford – (4/128) defense grade in 2024 over 934 snaps, A
CB – Rasul Douglas – (88/128) defense grade in 2024 over 831 snaps, B to B-
CB – Taron Johnson – (58/128) defense grade in 2024 over 646 snaps, B to B-
CB – Kaiir Elam – (32/128) defense grade in 2024 over 305 snaps C+ to B-
CB – Ja’Marcus Ingram – (90/128) defense grade in 2024 over 212 snaps, C
CB – Brandon Codrington – (118/128) defense grade in 2024 over 70 snaps, D+
2024 Bills Major Secondary Metrics
24th in passing yards per game allowed
31st in coverage grade according to Pro Football Focus
As you can see from this final set of data the Bills’ secondary performed at one of the weakest levels in the NFL during the 2024 season. Cornerback Chrisitan Benford is a star in the back end of the defense but the remainder of the players in the Bills’ backend during the 2024 season left much to be desired. The next three cornerbacks complementing Benford were talented but far too inconsistent and the team saw average production in totality out of the remaining cornerbacks on the roster outside of Benford. The team’s safety unit during the 2024 season was amongst the weakest in professional football. As the four safeties for the Bills who logged substantial snaps in 2024 all graded in the below average range.
Headed into next season along with the Bills’ young defensive coordinator needing to prove himself, addressing the backend of the defense is the biggest concern. Star cornerback Christian Benford remains on the team but the remainder of the back end is still a concern. The projected 2025 Bills’ Secondary lineup can be found below.
Projected 2025 Buffalo Bills’ Secondary
Starters
LCB – Christian Benford – A
SS – Taylor Rapp – C+
FS – Damar Hamlin – C
RCB – Maxwell Hairston – 2025 first rounder
NB – Taron Johnson – B to B-
As you can see, in terms of the starting lineup there are question marks all over the place outside of Benford. Taylor Rapp was a former 2nd round pick in 2019 but has struggled with inconsistency in his career. Despite the inconsistency, Rapp has still shown a very high ceiling in the NFL for long stretches and from time to time has shown he was indeed worthy of being selected that high. Rapp struggled last season but perhaps he can have a strong season next year. Safety Damar Hamlin is in line to start at the remaining safety position but is likely better suited in a backup role. It would not surprise me if Hamlin eventually lost his starting position at safety at some point next season. One of the team’s three primary cornerbacks from the 2024 season in Rasul Douglas is no longer on the team as of now remaining a free agent. The team has selected Maxwell Hairston at the end of the first round to fill that spot, but it remains to be seen how effective he will be as a rookie. Taron Johnson at the remaining starting corner spot is consistently an above average player and should provide the Bills with solid production as he did last season. The Bills’ secondary reserves headed into next season can be found below.
Reserves
CB – Dane Jackson – C to C+
S – Cole Bishop – D+ so far as 2024 second round pick
S – Jordan Hancock – 2025 fifth rounder
CB – Tre’Davious White – B
CB/S – Cam Lewis – C+ to B-
CB – Dorian Strong – 2025 sixth rounder
S – Wande Owens – UDFA 2025
S – Darrick Forrest – C to C+
CB – Ja’Marcus Ingram – C
CB – Te’Cory Couch – UDFA 2024, 0 career snaps
CB – Brandon Codrington – D
CB – Daequan Hardy – 2024 sixth rounder, 0 career snaps
As you can see from the above, the Bills have a few notable players currently listed as reserves in their back end. The likes of Cole Bishop and Tre’Davious White in particular could eventually find themselves starting given the question marks Buffalo currently has in their starting secondary lineup. With those players as of now both being in a position to provide the Bills with strong depth in their secondary. Cole Bishop was a 2nd round pick before last season but really struggled as a rookie. Given his high draft selection and the concerns Buffalo has at starting safety as of now. If Bishop can really improve heading into year 2 and start to live up to his draft selection, he could certainly find himself starting. Tre’Davious White has returned to the Bills after a one-year hiatus from the franchise after spending his first seven seasons with Buffalo. White as a former first rounder has proven he was worthy of that selection but has really struggled with injuries in recent memory. If White can remain healthy now headed into his early 30s, he could be a very strong option to potentially even start for Buffalo on the back end. While at worst providing the team with strong depth in the secondary. The Bills also have a few other players who I evaluated to be in the C to C+ range or higher who could provide Buffalo with strong depth in the back end and/or potentially transition to a starting role.
In totality the Bills’ defense was the primary reason they were eliminated from the playoffs last season. As offensively they were elite and Buffalo did not struggle with making crucial mistakes come playoff time either. The Bills were graded as the 26th best defense in the NFL over the course of the 2024 season while being the only team all season long to surrender 30 points to the Chiefs in regulation in Buffalo’s playoff loss to Kansas City. Defensive minded head coach Sean McDermott, if you take out the first two years of his tenure when he was dealing with unideal circumstances, has produced an elite Bills’ defense in four of six seasons, with one of those two outlier years being this past season unfortunately. With McDermott’s 2024 rookie defensive coordinator heading into year 2 along with the Bills addressing weak spots from a defensive personnel perspective, the Bills are certainly in line to return to elite defensive form next season under McDermott. Although Buffalo still has defensive question marks every here and there.
