5 questions emerging for defense

“We have played a very good defense for a long time here, that’s what we are used to doing, but I would say this year probably not as good as we have played in previous years,” said McDermott.

Yes, it sums up.

The Bills were fantastic to keep the ball from the opponent away when they forced 32 reversals, second in the NFL. But you cannot live only on turnover; Sometimes you have to stop the other guys and the bills have not done enough.

Classified 21st in yards authorized by game (5.5) and 17th in authorized yards (341.3), they 29th of the first two trials authorized per game (20.9) and the third percentage of conversion (43.8%), 16th as a percentage of TD of the red zone (authorized a TD 57.3% of the time), and in the category that have allowed the points 11th, but which were the most recorded, the points allowed, they were respectable 11th, but which were the most recorded, the points allowed, they were respectable 11th, but which were the most recorded, the points allowed, they were a respectable 11th, but which were the most recorded, the points allowed, they were respectable 11th, but which were counted, were respectable 11th, but which were recorded, the most allowed points, they were respectable; (2023), second (2022) and first (2021).

The fact that the Bills lose only four regular season games was quite a feat given the defense game, and it was a clear example of the dynamics of the offense when it scored at least 30 points in 12 games. Buffalo won seven games where his defense granted at least 20 points.

Managing Director Brandon Beane said at the end of the draft, after his first five selections came on the defensive side of the ball which: “I can tell you 100%, there was no opportunity:” Hey, we have to withdraw x number of defensive players from this project. “”.

Sorry, but no one bought it. Beane knew that he had to improve defense and in addition to six of the nine total recovery choices being defenders, he also signed six veterans free agents in order to reorganize a unit that required reinforcements.

Here are five questions that I have on the defense before the start of the training camp this week:

1. Greg Rousseau can take the next step?

The choice of the first round in 2021 played well throughout its first four years in the NFL. But every year, it leaves you more for more because it is such a long (6 feet 6 inches) athlete that seems to disappear for stretching, not only in certain games but several games.

Last year, he made three bags on the opening day against Kyler Murray and the Cardinals, then during the following seven games, he was credited with half-bags out of 209 Snaps Rush. He had 34 QB pressures in this period, but 11 of them came in a match against the modest Titans.

The invoices gave Rousseau an extension of a four -year contract with $ 54 million in guaranteed money. It is actually a little less than the rate in force for a rusher aboard 25 years, but it is a lot for a player who fought against inconsistency and did not become a rusher or a player who changes the situation.

Last year, he established careers in total pressures (63), QB (24), the plated for the lost footage (16), the solo plated (36) and the forced escaped (three), and he equaled his career in a career with eight bags. A great season, without a doubt.

Rousseau’s pressures increased each of his four years and last year, he ranked 10th among the Rushers Edge in the NFL, but his lack of finish was apparent in a 1,9 bag percentage which was the 22nd.

It is not only on him, but the rush of Buffalo passes has not been effective in recent years, and this has often been invisible in the playoffs. Rousseau is now paid like a star, and he has to play like one.

2. Will White be a starter of week 1?

Tre’davious White wanted to be in Buffalo and nowhere else

The Bills brought back the half of a corner Tre’davious White, and he knows that he will have to win a place that suits him.

The Bills selected the Maxwell Hairston corner half in the first round and the intention was clear: being the replacement of the deceased leaving Rasul Douglas opposite Christian Benford. He will have every opportunity to win this work, but something tells me that if White can prove that it is better than in 2024 when it was cut by the bills and the time shared with the Rams and the Ravens, I think McDermott prefers to slow him down Hairston at the start of the season.

Now, given that the white is now 30 years old, old for half a corner of the NFL, and that he is not almost the all-pro player that he was in the past thanks to two serious injuries on the legs, he may not be able to win work. But if the competition is close, I think White begins with the idea that he gives in to Hairston when the recruit is really ready.

Listening to white, it might not take long that it happens.

“The guy has capacities that many guys simply did not get out of the uterus,” he said about the recruit which ran the fastest dashboard of 40 yards at the NFL Scouting combines. “So when you mix this with the coaching we have here and just all the resources he must succeed, as if it was going to come. This is just a matter of time before he was one of the best corners of the league.”

White was this guy several years ago, and the Bills would love if his prognosis on Hairston is realized.

3. Which recruit line players will emerge?

The Recruit Deone Walker defensive platform is impressive

By obtaining his first overview of the defensive platform Deone Walker, the defensive coordinator of Bills, Bobby Babich, was surprised by the way he moved for a man of his size.

The Bills have spent three choices in the first four laps on defensive line players – DT TJ Sanders in the second, Edge Rusher Landon Jackson in the third, and DT Deone Walker in fourth.

This is part of a well -necessary overhaul which also includes the free agent signatures of Edge Rushers Joey Bosa and Michael Hoecht and DT Larry Ogunjobi. However, with these last two players missing the first six games due to PED suspensions, recruits – not to mention second -year players Javon Solomon and Dewayne Carter – have a chance to win significant pictures during the first third of the calendar.

Although the Bills never admit it, Sanders is probably the long -term replacement of Ed Oliver, a player with the fifth greatest course on the list that does not play on this salary status. If he does not have an excellent season, Oliver could become a victim of CAP in 2026, opening the door so that Sanders is n ° 1 to three technologies.

And Walker and Carter argue to become the replacement of Daquan Jones which is in the last year of his contract. Jones is in decline and his number of peak balls must be reduced, but Carter has disappointed – partly because of an injury – as a recruit, and Walker feels like a project at the start of his career.

On the edge, Jackson could certainly force his way on the ground while Hoecht sits. Bosa is subject to injuries, Solomon is undersized and Epenesa has never been more than a player of depth of rotation.

4. What is Matt Milano?

In an interesting move from the offseason, Milano agreed to restructure his contract by which he lowered his base salary for 2025 to help invoices create a ceiling space. He can earn money by accessible incentives, but she also launched a year of leave so that he could be a free agent in 2026.

It was a clear message that the bills told Milano that they were going to move forward in a new direction because he will be 31 years old next week, and the injuries have limited him to nine regular season games in the past two years.

When he is in good health, Milano was a great player for Buffalo, a fifth round choice in 2017, the first year of McDermott’s mandate, who became a starter half of his recruit season. If he can avoid injuring himself, he can always help defense because he is such an intelligent and athletic player with a nose for the ball.

But Dorian Williams, now entering his third season, played in the place of Milano in 2024 and he ended up leading the Bills with 114 plated and he recovered three escaped. If Williams can improve his success coverage technique, Milano can see a reduction in his playing time while the Bills start the transition to switch from the ninth veteran.

5. Are the Buffalo bills Sufficient in safety?

Cole Bishop must take a big step and win a starting role in 2025

Sean McDermott said that the choice of second round in 2024, Cole Bishop, was to win a departure security work, and that invoices count on him to do so.

One of the biggest question points for the second consecutive year is safe. Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer had this area on the locking from 2017 to 2023, but the two disappeared last season, so the Bills re-signed the Taylor Rapp veteran and chose Cole Bishop in the second round of the 2024 draft.

There was never any concern about Rapp who had played four years with the Rams and started for their winning team of the Super Bowl in 2021, then was a precious backup for Buffalo in 2023. As for Cole, the intention was to throw it directly into the fire as a recruit, but the plan was wrong when it had undergone a shoulder camp.

Damar Hamlin has fulfilled fairly well, but he is a limited player, so even if he has chosen to re -signate with Buffalo as a free agent, all eyes are on Bishop because the reasons why the invoices have written him high – his athletics and his conscience, his range and his ball skills, and now he must be displayed on the lines you want for the last line of defense.

“I will say this, the jump we saw of Cole from this first year as recruits this year has been really good so far,” said defensive coordinator Bobby Babich in the spring. “There is consistency at the moment.

Sal Maiorana covered the Buffalo Bills for four decades, including 35 years as a full-time editor for D&C, he has written many books on the history of the team, and he is also co-host of the program Balav in Bills Podcast / Youtube. It can be attached to marorana@gannett.com, and you can follow it on X @Salmaiorana and on Bluesky @salmaiorana.bsky.social.