Bills year in review: defensive linemen grades

Overall, the Buffalo Bills defensive front had a successful season and were catalysts to having a top 10 defense. Though they lost their leader (Von Miller) in the middle of the season, veterans like DaQuan Jones and Shaq Lawson showed their leadership and ability, while second year players Gregory Rousseau and Boogie Basham took giant strides.

The Bills may have also learned what they have in two of their high draft-picks, Ed Oliver and AJ Epenesa, who have been given time to develop over the past few seasons yet still underperformed in 2022.

Here are my grades for the 2022 Bills defensive line:

DaQuan Jones, DT
Games Started: 17
Games Played: 17
PFF Grade: 73.6
PFF Rank: 20th of 127
Grade: B

Analysis: DaQuan Jones was quietly the Bills’ most impactful free agent signing last year and by far their best interior defensive lineman. Jones was sorely missed in the only game he was inactive in 2022, which was the playoff game in Cincinnati. In that game, the Bills’ front four were manhandled and exposed without him. In his 17 active games, Jones’ double-team rate against the pass was among the best in the NFL.

Gregory Rousseau, EDGE
Games Started: 15
Games Played: 15
PFF Grade: 80.9
PFF Rank: 20th of 120
Grade: B+

Analysis: With four sacks in his first four games, it was assumed that Gregory Rousseau would tear up the league in only his second year. However, a high ankle sprain mid-season caused Rousseau to miss three games and he never regained his first-half presence. Nevertheless Rousseau improved upon his rookie season and, under Von Miller’s continued tutelage, should continue to grow in the future.

Ed Oliver, DT
Games Started: 14
Games Played: 15
PFF Grade: 67.5
PFF Rank: 42nd of 127
Grade: C

Analysis: 2019 first round draft pick Ed Oliver has been underwhelming for the majority of his four years in Buffalo and last year was no exception. Although he’s shown flashes of being an All-Pro (see every Bills Thanksgiving game), he’s not lived up to the hype consistently. Look for Oliver to get dealt this offseason to avoid taking a giant 5th-year option cap hit.

Von Miller, EDGE
Games Started: 11
Games Played: 11
PFF Grade: 85.8
PFF Rank: 10th of 120
Grade: A

Analysis: The impact Von Miller had on the Bills through preseason and in the first eleven weeks of the season was immeasurable. All of his defensive end counterparts pointed to Miller as a significant influence on increasing their play on the field. Miller’s play on the edge was elite. Even though the coaching staff limited his playing time to 61% of all defensive snaps, Miller made many big plays to help close out big wins. Let’s hope Miller is ready to go Week 1 in 2023 and that he continues to be a leader on and off the field for the Bills.

Shaq Lawson, EDGE
Games Started: 8
Games Played: 17
PFF Grade: 64.2
PFF Rank: 69th of 120
Grade: C+

Analysis: Shaq Lawson was brought back to Buffalo in the offseason to add depth to the Bills EDGE rushers behind Von Miller and Gregory Rousseau as a high-end backup. When Miller went down in Week 12, Lawson did a respectable job replacing him. Lawson might not be a starting EDGE rusher in 2023, but the Bills should welcome him back as a solid depth piece.

Tim Settle, DT
Games Started: 3
Games Played: 17
PFF Grade: 55.7
PFF Rank: 82nd of 127
Grade: C-

Analysis: Tim Settle was brought in to be a quality depth piece at defensive tackle, and for the most part, he lacked the juice that a lot of Bills fans were anticipating. Settle is now entering the final year of his two-year deal with Buffalo. He has a cap hit of $4.95M in 2023, and if the Bills cut ties with him they would owe $2.7M in dead cap.

AJ Epenesa, EDGE
Games Started: 2
Games Played: 17
PFF Grade: 57.1
PFF Rank: 95th of 120
Grade: D+

Analysis: When he was drafted before the 2020 season, AJ Epenesa was considered a “project with considerable upside.” Epenesa saw the most playing time of his career in 2022 and had perhaps his worst season in the league. Though his pass rushing was adequate (6.5 sacks), Epenesa’s PFF grade was lowest among all Bills EDGE rushers and he was a major liability against the run.

Jordan Phillips, DT
Games Started: 1
Games Played: 13
PFF Grade: 50.0
PFF Rank: 97th of 127
Grade: D

Analysis: The return of Jordan Phillips was about as much as Bills fans could expect. A solid backup defensive lineman. Although he had 9.5 sacks for the Bills in 2019, he hasn’t posted more than three sacks in all eight other years as a pro.

Boogie Basham, EDGE
Games Started: 0
Games Played: 17
PFF Grade: 69.6
PFF Rank: 44th of 120
Grade: B

Analysis: Boogie Basham has come into his own as a pass rusher and could start for most teams in the league. Unfortunately for Boogie, when Von Miller went out for the season and Greg Rousseau missed games due to injury, Basham wasn’t given the starting nod. If Miller isn’t ready to go Week 1 in 2023, look for Boogie to make an early impact for the Bills.