Predicting the Buffalo Bills’ starting defense after the 2024 NFL Draft

I shared my thoughts on the Bills offense earlier this week and now we’ll look at the defense. Buffalo’s sack production a season ago was one of the best in team history. They produced 54 sacks, just behind the 2013 team which posted 57. They accomplished that goal with Von Miller contributing exactly zero sacks to that total. the team also returns four of its top five sack producers from last season, with only Leonard Floyd gone. Hopefully Miller can return to form and fill that void. Can this team be as productive at quarterback in 2024?

The team must be defined as linebacker; However, there are concerns that Matt Milano will not be ready to start the season. In secondary school, we could have two new faces at security positions; However, we don’t yet know if Hyde will retire. He said if he came back to play another season, he wanted it to be with the Bills. He is still a free agent, so the question of a contract will have to be resolved. Anyway, let’s move on to my projected starting defense.

Von Miller – I think we will have a much better version of Von Miller than in 2023; However, at 35, what can you really expect? Regardless, Miller will be more than a year removed from his knee injury and should be penciled in as a starter for the Bills in 2024.

Grégory Rousseau – Rousseau was one of the best defenders in the league, according to Pro Football Focus. He graded 79.6 in run defense, ranking 12th among edge defenders. Can he display his bag numbers? If he can reach double-digit sacks to go along with his run defense, he could be considered one of the best players in the league.

Ed Olivier – Ed Oliver had his best season last year, and we hope to see the same in 2024. He also played the most snaps in a given season in his career, and some believe that affected his playoff performance. The Bills drafted DeWayne Carter, who should be a solid piece of the rotation, and saved these guys for a late-season push.

DaQuan Jones – Thank goodness Jones resigned with the Bills for another season. The duo of Oliver and Jones started last season with a bang. These two played together as well as any tandem in the league. Hopefully Jones can stay healthy for 17 games and into the playoffs.

Matt Milan – If Milan is not ready, we could see Dorian Williams playing the main role until Milan is ready. Anyway, Milan are the starters, it’s no shock to anyone. I look forward to seeing him on the field again in 2024.

Terrel Bernard – I can’t wait to see Milano and Bernard on the pitch together. We got a glimpse of how good these two could be as a duo, but we were robbed of a full season. After a full season in a starting role, Bernard should be even better in 2024.

Rasul Douglas – Douglas arrived around mid-season and you could say he saved the Bills’ season. After the defense suffered several injuries, including to top corner Tre White, Beane executed a trade to acquire Douglas and almost instantly began playing in the Bills’ secondary. He should continue to play his role as leader of the team.

Christian Benford – Benford arrived as a rookie two seasons ago and as a late-round pick, he beat out first-round selection Kaiir Elam for the starting role, and hasn’t relinquished his position. He continues to improve and according to Pro Football Focus, he was the 11th best CB in the league with an 83 rating.

Taylor Rapp – Rapp has experience on the Bills defense, which I think will help him land a starting role. But regardless of what some might assume, I don’t think either safety position has a locked-in starter at this time. While Pro Football Focus’ grades weren’t great for either Rapp or free agent Mike Edwards, Rapp fared considerably better.

Cole Bishop – This one might surprise some, but I think this kid has what it takes to push Mike Edwards to the bench. As I just mentioned, Edwards’ PFF grades weren’t good, earning an overall grade of 56.9, including a run defense grade of 53.6 and a coverage grade of 58.6 . Rapp’s grades were much better, but he also wasn’t asked to be a true safety in many cases.

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