Midseason grades for the Buffalo Bills defense

The Buffalo Bills are now officially entering the second half of their 2024 season.

The first half of the season has been a bit of a roller coaster. The Bills started the season with three convincing victories, followed by two ugly losses against playoff contenders, and finished their first half with four solid wins.

Many were wondering what the defense would like after departures of cornerstone players this off-season. But, given the personnel changes, as well as early-season injuries, Sean McDermott and Bobby Babich have done a solid job in getting them prepared each week.

Here are the first-half grades for the Bills defense:

Defensive tackles: C

Personnel: Ed Oliver, DaQuan Jones, Austin Johnson, DeWayne Carter, Zion Logue, Eli Ankou
Analysis: The one-two punch of Ed Oliver and DaQuan Jones has been disappointing. Oliver and Jones are supposed to be difference makers in the Bills nickel defense against the run, and they haven’t been holding their weight.

Ed Oliver and Daquan Jones’s PFF run defense grades are 47.9 and 49.2, respectively—both are ranked 80th or worse in the league—suggesting they’re replacement level against the run.

Defensive ends: B-

Personnel: Greg Rousseau, Von Miller, AJ Epenesa, Casey Toohill, Dawuane Smoot, Javon Solomon

Analysis: The Bills defensive end group have been inconsistent at best.

Greg Rousseau has been solid again so far this season—providing a solid pass rush, but his 4.5 sacks rank an underwhelming 30th in the league.

AJ Epenesa and Dawuane Smoot have had flashes of greatness, but they’ve been few and far between

Von Miller was on a roll before his four-game suspension and hopefully he can regain the magic now that he has returned.

Linebackers: C

Personnel: Terrel Bernard, Dorian Williams, Baylon Spector, Joe Andreessen, Nicholas Morrow, Edefuan Ulofoshio
Analysis: Dorian Williams has been, for the most part, a pleasant surprise taking over Matt Milano’s outside linebacker spot.

Although he’s been suspect against the pass at times, Williams continues to improve in this area and his run-stopping ability has been great.

Terrel Bernard has been banged up this season, missing three games. Although he’s had some “splash plays”—including a game-changing interception in Houston, he’s been poor in coverage and average against the run.

In Bernard’s absence, Baylon Spector has played at a replacement level at best.

Cornerbacks: A

Personnel: Rasul Douglas, Christian Benford, Taron Johnson, Kaiir Elam, Ja’Marcus Ingram, Brandon Codrington

Analysis: Cornerback is the Bills best defensive group and it’s not close.

Christian Benford and Rasul Douglas have been lock-down players once again for Buffalo and Taron Johnson has resumed his All-Pro pay after missing the team’s first five weeks due to injury.

Safeties: B

Personnel: Taylor Rapp, Damar Hamlin, Cam Lewis, Cole Bishop, Mike Edwards

Analysis: No, they’re not peak Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer, but Taylor Rapp and Damar Hamlin have been solid in the Bills secondary and are an upgrade from the 2023 version of Hyde and Poyer.

The combo is good enough to allow for rookie Cole Bishop to learn the ropes and not be thrown directly into the fire too early.