Bills’ top four earn middle spot in NFL defensive line rankings

The Buffalo Bills had what could perhaps best be described as underrated passing production during the 2023 NFL season: the team finished fourth in total sacks (54.0) and fifth in team sack percentage (8.22%), that production sparked by breakout seasons from defensive tackle Ed Oliver and defensive end Greg Rousseau. Offseason addition Leonard Floyd also contributed 10.5 sacks, with those players more than making up for the significant drop in play from Hall of Fame shoo-in Von Miller, who contributed zero sacks and just 17 pressures overall. throughout the countryside.

The team also failed Also bad against the run, allowing an average of 112.2 rushing yards per game (15th in the league). It was a generally productive season from the defense (finishing ninth in total defense) and, by extension, the defensive line, with Oliver, Rousseau and AJ Epenesa, in particular, building solid seasons that they hope to build on. press to move forward.

Pro Football Focus isn’t too thrilled about Buffalo’s defensive line, but the outlet isn’t looking down on the unit either. In a recent article ranking every NFL defensive line entering the 2024 campaign, writer Sam Monson placed the Bills at 16th, particularly praising Rousseau while also finding fault in Oliver’s game.

Related: WATCH: Jacksonville City Council Member Shoots Josh Allen During Stadium Vote

“Buffalo’s defensive line is a stronger group in terms of name recognition than consistently impactful play,” Monson wrote. “Von Miller was a shadow of his former self in 2024 and may have simply stayed at the show too long. Ed Oliver had the best season of his NFL career, but that only earned him a 67.8 overall PFF grade due to his 55.4 run defense grade. Greg Rousseau has become a very good player, and re-signing DaQuan Jones was a big move, considering the play he showed before getting injured last season.

Monson’s analysis is generally fair, although roster placement may be a A little (but not blatantly) weak. Although Buffalo seems confident in Miller’s ability to bounce back in the upcoming campaign, he has objectively not been a factor in the 2023 season, recording just three total tackles. Oliver had his best season as a professional, recording 9.5 sacks and an incredibly impressive 72 total pressures, but he had a missed tackle percentage of 21.6%, per PFF, which contributed to the low defense rating assigned to it by the point of sale. . He may have been hampered by the absence of Jones alongside him throughout the campaign, as the veteran defensive tackle was one of the team’s best defenders throughout his tenure.

Rousseau was perhaps the Bills’ best defensive lineman last season, once again excelling as a run defender while totaling five sacks and a career-high 62 total pressures. He will look to build on his strong season as he enters what could be his final campaign before signing a new contract.

Buffalo made some changes to its defensive line in the offseason, allowing its sack leader Floyd to leave in free agency before signing defensive tackle Austin Johnson and defensive end Casey Toohill as free agents. The team also selected strong interior defender DeWayne Carter in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft; The team’s line is generally younger now than it was a season ago, but it still looks productive, especially if Miller can bounce back. Don’t be surprised if the bills appear a few rungs higher in next year’s version of this list.

—Benefit from free bill coverage Buffalo Bills on SI—

More Buffalo Bills news: