Will Buffalo Have a Top 10 Defense This Season?

NFL

Last season, the Buffalo Bills’ defense fell short, arguably costing them a Super Bowl championship. It became clear that significant changes needed to be made on the defensive front to fuel success in the playoffs. This offseason, the team made many dynamic changes in their defensive line and strategy. Will these changes be enough to bring the Bills to the finish line?

The team welcomed 19 new faces to the defensive line this year. "All the rookies in the D-line room caught my eye," defensive end Greg Rousseau said. "Just the way they've come in eager to learn.” Yet, eagerness alone won’t cut it. With training camp just around the corner, these rookies will be closely watched, their chemistry evaluated, and their skills sharpened as the team prepares to dominate the field. Some notable additions came in the second, third, and fourth-round draft picks: defensive tackle TJ Sanders, defensive end Landon Jackson, and defensive tackle Deone Walker. This trio could bring the heat Buffalo has been looking for defensively. 

Other changes are still being made, defensive coach Bobby Babich emphasized in an interview,  "Every position is wide open," most notably the CB2 role. Up for the spot is returning cornerback Tre'Davious White. White spent seven seasons on the Buffalo Bills before spending 2024 in short stints with the Los Angeles Rams and Baltimore Ravens. White is making his return to Buffalo for the 2025 season, his chemistry with the team still strong. This familiarity with the team could make a significant difference if he steps into the starting cornerback role. 

Last season, many key defensive players faced injuries, including Matt Milano and Taron Johnson, and third-down plays were barely covered. These factors contributed to the team's abysmal PFF grade of 59.7, the fifth-lowest in the league. Looking closer, the Bills had a PFF grade of 29.7 in the AFC Championship against the Chiefs, their defense being a huge reason they didn't grasp that Super Bowl title. As training camp begins, a keen eye will be on the defensive line watching as they try and improve drastically from last season's mess. 

Jordan Fine

Jordan Fine is a journalism student at the University of Maryland with a passion for sports and social media. She loves to write and never misses an NFL Sunday!

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