Rankings AFC East players by position

How do the Bills’ positional groups compare to the rest of the Division?

After a 6-1 start and a firm grip on the AFC East, no one would have expected the Bills to fall into third place and go 0-2 in a division which they’ve dominated for the past two seasons. 

After reviewing the Pro Football Focus rankings of the other players around the AFC East, it’s clear that the Bills are lacking in some key positions and that the losses to the Dolphins and Jets earlier this year were no fluke. 

The Dolphins have a superior offensive line and wide receiver group (and don’t look now, but they currently have the highest rated quarterback).

The Jets’ defensive line is amongst the best in the NFL.

The Patriots have the best running game in the division.

And, although the Bills have perhaps the best edge rushers and linebackers in the NFL, their offensive line is among the worst in the league. And, other than Stefon Diggs, their receivers aren’t getting the job done either.

Here are the PFF player rankings at each position in the AFC East. Please note that these rankings are of those players who have the appropriate number of snaps this year.

Quarterbacks

The fact that Josh Allen is ranked third in the league with only one high-level receiver and a putrid offensive line just goes to show his Superman abilities. He makes everyone around him look like a superstar, when in fact, they are not.

Though it may be surprising that PFF grades Tua Tagovailoa higher than Josh Allen, if you stop and look at what the Dolphins have put around him, the shock value lessens. Tua has two top-10 receivers and one of the best offensive lines in the league.

1. Tua Tagovailoa, Miami PFF Grade:  91.3
   PFF Position Rank:  1

Tua has been on a roll 👀 pic.twitter.com/saz7Fc4MGz

— PFF (@PFF) November 16, 2022

2. Josh Allen, Josh Allen
   PFF Grade:  89.4
   PFF Position Rank:  3

3. Bailey Zappe, New England. PFF Grade: 67.1. PFF Position Rank: 19

4. Joe Flacco, NY Jets. PFF Grade:  55.0. PFF Position Rank:  35

5. Zach Wilson, NY Jets. PFF Grade:  54.9. PFF Position Rank:  36

6. Mac Jones, New England. PFF Grade: 51.5. PFF Position Rank: 38

Running Backs

Devin Singletary has done a decent job for the Bills when called upon.  Unfortunately for him, he’s in a pass-first offense and he doesn’t get the touches a typical featured back would receive AND he’s second on the team in rushing yards behind quarterback Josh Allen.  PFF has him graded as a bottom-third starting running back. 

James Cook hasn’t received the minimum amount of snaps for a player ranking, but PFF grades him at an 80.0, which is second best for a running back in the AFC East.  Perhaps the Bills will utilize Cook more in the second half of the season as they gradually trust him more handling the football.

The Patriots make up for their poor quarterback play with two of the three best running backs in the AFC East. Rhamondre Stevenson is graded as the third best running back in the NFL and has become Bill Belichick’s most dependable and consistent offensive player.

1. Rhamondre Stevenson, New England PFF Grade: 89.6. PFF Position Rank: 3

Rhamondre Stevenson has played 66.1% of the Patriots' snaps this season. If that holds, it would be the highest snap rate by New England RB since at least 2012, when @pfref began recording snap counts.

No one's even topped 55% during that span. pic.twitter.com/OUFjvjRGQN

— Zack Cox (@zm_cox) November 16, 2022

2. Devin Singletary, Buffalo
   PFF Grade:  71.8
   PFF Position Rank:  23

3. Damien Harris, New England
   PFF Grade:  71.6
   PFF Position Rank:  24

4. Jeff Wilson Jr, Miami
   PFF Grade:  71.6
   PFF Position Rank:  24

5. Breece Hall, NY Jets
   PFF Grade:  69.8
   PFF Rank:  34

6. Raheem Mostert, Miami
   PFF Grade:  68.8
   PFF Rank:  38

7. Michael Carter, NY Jets
   PFF Grade:  68.3
   PFF Rank:  40

8. Nyheim Hines, Buffalo
   PFF Grade:  65.3
   PFF Rank:  45

9. James Robinson, NY Jets
   PFF Grade: 63.2
   PFF Rank: 50

Wide Receivers

Stefon Diggs is on another planet and Josh Allen would not have the success he’s had without him.  There’s no surprise that Stefon Diggs is Josh Allen’s favorite target.  What is surprising, though, is how big a drop off there is from Diggs to the Bills’ next highest graded receiver, Gabe Davis.  Davis has had some big plays this year for sure, but he’s also been quite inconsistent.  If the Bills want to make a Super Bowl run, they’ll need a true No. 2 wide receiver.  Paging OBJ.

Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle have been crucial in the Dolphins early season success. They make an average quarterback look like a superstar.

1. Tyreek Hill, Miami
   PFF Grade:  92.0
   PFF Rank:  1

2. Stefon Diggs, Buffalo. PFF Grade: 91.0. PFF Rank: 2

Most receiving yards per game this season:

Justin Jefferson 117.8
Tyreek Hill 114.8
Stefon Diggs 109.4@JJettas2 is on a mission in 2022 😤 pic.twitter.com/KBQ8XONwAJ

— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) November 15, 2022

3. Jaylen Waddle, Miami
   PFF Grade:  84.5  
   PFF Rank:  7

4. Garrett Wilson, NY Jets
   PFF Grade:  76.9
   PFF Rank:  16

5. Jakobi Meyers, New England
   PFF Grade:  75.1  
   PFF Rank:  22

6. Corey Davis, NY Jets
   PFF Grade:  71.3  
   PFF Rank:  37

7. DeVante Parker, New England
   PFF Grade:  70.4
   PFF Rank:  43

8. Trent Sherfield, Miami
   PFF Grade:  65.6
   PFF Rank:  58

9. Gabriel Davis, Buffalo
   PFF Grade:  64.8  
   PFF Rank:   60

10. Isaiah McKenzie, Buffalo
    PFF Grade:  64.5  
    PFF Rank:  63

11. Nelson Agholor, New England
    PFF Grade:  64.1
    PFF Rank:  67

12. Braxton Berrios, NY Jets
    PFF Grade:  59.2
    PFF Rank:  94

13. Kendrick Bourne, New England
    PFF Grade:  58.8
    PFF Rank:  96

14. Elijah Moore, NY Jets
    PFF Grade:  57.2
    PFF Rank:  101

15. Tyquan Thornton, New England
    PFF Grade: 55.3
    PFF Rank: 105

Tight Ends

Although Dawson Knox doesn’t look the same so far this year, he is currently receiving his highest PFF grade of his career. Nonetheless, the Bills need Knox to turn it up as his big play potential has not been what it was last season. Not even close.

1. Mike Gesicki, Miami
   PFF Grade:  63.9
   PFF Rank:  24

2. Dawson Knox, Buffalo
   PFF Grade:  63.2  
   PFF Rank:  26

3. Jonnu Smith, New England
   PFF Grade:  62.5  
   PFF Rank:  29

4. C.J. Uzomah, NY Jets
   PFF Grade:  60.3
   PFF Rank:  38

5. Tyler Conklin, NY Jets
   PFF Grade:  58.8  
   PFF Rank:  44

6. Hunter Henry, New England
   PFF Grade:  57.7  
   PFF Rank:  49

7. Durham Smythe, Miami
   PFF Grade:  53.3  
   PFF Rank:  62

8. Quintin Morris, Buffalo
   PFF Grade: 43.3
   PFF Rank: 71

Centers

Bills fan-favorite, Mitch Morse, is rated the worst center in the AFC East. This may be attributed to the bad guard play on both sides of him. The Bills “anchor” of the offensive line is ranked as a bottom-third center in the NFL.

1. Connor Williams, Miami
   PFF Grade:  75.8
   PFF Position Rank:  5

2. David Andrews, New England
   PFF Grade:  70.6
   PFF Position Rank:  8

3. Connor McGovern, NY Jets
   PFF Grade:  66.5
   PFF Position Rank:  14

4. Mitch Morse, Buffalo
   PFF Grade: 61.1
   PFF Position Rank: 22

Guards

Because of Allen’s ability to roll out of a collapsing pocket to make big plays, Ryan Bates and Rodger Saffold’s awful play has not come to light. Saffold is a starting offensive guard for the Bills and is graded 69^th of 82 NFL guards—so according to PFF, Rodger Saffold isn’t worthy of being a starting guard in the league.

1. Michael Onwenu, New England
   PFF Grade:  86
   PFF Rank:  3

2. Robert Hunt, Miami
   PFF Grade:  78.8 
   PFF Rank:  6

3. Alijah Vera-Tucker, NY Jets
   PFF Grade:  71.8  
   PFF Rank:  15

4. Ryan Bates, Buffalo
   PFF Grade:  62.3
   PFF Rank:  40

5. Nate Herbig, NY Jets
   PFF Grade:  57.4  
   PFF Rank:  54

6. Laken Tomlinson, NY Jets
   PFF Grade:  51.2
   PFF Rank:  64

7. Cole Strange, New England
   PFF Grade:  50.2
   PFF Rank:  65

8. Rodger Saffold, Buffalo
   PFF Grade:  48.3
   PFF Rank:  69

9. Liam Eichenberg, Miami
   PFF Grade: 44.9
   PFF Rank: 76

Tackles

Dion Dawkins is the best offensive lineman on the Bills and it’s not close!

The Bills need to look at permanently starting David Quessenberry at right tackle. Though he’s not great, Quessenberry is still heads and shoulders better than Spencer Brown who is another Bills lineman that is starting and ranked amongst the non-starters.

1. Terrence Armstead, Miami
   PFF Grade: 76.3
   PFF Rank: 14

2. Dion Dawkins, Buffalo
   PFF Grade:  72.2  
   PFF Rank:  23

3. Trent Brown, New England
   PFF Grade:  65.4  
   PFF Rank:  44

4. David Quessenberry, Buffalo
   PFF Grade:  64.4  
   PFF Rank:  49

5. Brandon Shell, Miami
   PFF Grade:  62.8  
   PFF Rank:  53

6. Marcus Cannon, New England
   PFF Grade:  61.4  
   PFF Rank:  58

7. Duane Brown, NY Jets
   PFF Grade:  57.8  
   PFF Rank:  67

8. Spencer Brown, Buffalo
   PFF Grade:  55.6  
   PFF Rank:  71

9. Max Mitchell, NY Jets
   PFF Grade:  54.7  
   PFF Rank:  73

10. Isaiah Wynn, New England
    PFF Grade:  54.1  
    PFF Rank:  74

11. George Fant, NY Jets
    PFF Grade:  47.7  
    PFF Rank:  78

12. Greg Little, Miami
    PFF Grade: 29.0
    PFF Rank: 80

Edge Defenders

The Bills have the best edge rushing tandem in the AFC East and possibly in the NFL. Von Miller has been as advertised and has accelerated the play of Greg Rousseau and Boogie Basham.

1. Von Miller, Buffalo
   PFF Grade:  84.9  
   PFF Rank:  9

2. Gregory Rousseau, Buffalo
   PFF Grade:  83.1  
   PFF Rank:  12

3. John Franklin-Myers, NY Jets
   PFF Grade:  83.1  
   PFF Rank:  12

4. Jaelan Phillips, Miami
   PFF Grade:  82.4  
   PFF Rank:  16

5. Boogie Basham, Buffalo
   PFF Grade:  78.4  
   PFF Rank:  24

6. Deatrich Wise Jr, New England
   PFF Grade:  76.2
   PFF Rank:  26

7. Matthew Judon, New England
   PFF Grade:  75.5  
   PFF Rank:  28

8. Bradley Chubb, Miami
   PFF Grade:  75.2  
   PFF Rank:  30

9. Andrew Van Ginkel, Miami
   PFF Grade:  75.2
   PFF Rank:  30

10. Melvin Ingram III, Miami
    PFF Grade:  75.0
    PFF Rank:  33

11. Michael Clemons, NY Jets
    PFF Grade: 71.9
    PFF Rank: 38
12. Carl Lawson, NY Jets
    PFF Grade: 64.7
    PFF Rank: 62

13. Anfernee Jennings, New England
    PFF Grade:  59.5  
    PFF Rank:  83

14. AJ Epenesa, Buffalo
    PFF Grade:  57.9  
    PFF Rank:  87

15. Emmanuel Ogbah, Miami
    PFF Grade:  52.1
    PFF Rank:  104

16. Shaq Lawson, Buffalo
    PFF Grade: 46
    PFF Rank: 112

Defensive Line

Ed Oliver has suffered from injuries this season and the Bills have tried to slowly reacclimate him into the defensive line rotation. Oliver and DaQuan Jones have done an adequate job this season and their PFF rankings would suggest they are both low-end starters in the league.

1. Quinnen Williams, NY Jets
   PFF Grade: 90.4
   PFF Rank: 3

2. Sheldon Rankins, NY Jets
   PFF Grade:  74.5
   PFF Rank:  20

3. Christian Wilkins, Miami
   PFF Grade:  74.0  
   PFF Rank:  21

4. Zach Sieler, Miami
   PFF Grade:  73.7  
   PFF Rank:  22

5. Nathan Shepherd, NY Jets
   PFF Grade:  69.9  
   PFF Rank:  28

6. DaQuan Jones, Buffalo
   PFF Grade:  68.5
   PFF Rank:  30

7. Ed Oliver, Buffalo
   PFF Grade:  66.1
   PFF Rank:  36

8. Daniel Ekuale, New England
   PFF Grade:  52.8  
   PFF Rank:  81

9. Christian Barmore, New England
   PFF Grade:  52.5
   PFF Rank:  85

10. Lawrence Guy
    PFF Grade:  51.0  
    PFF Rank:  86

11. Tim Settle, Buffalo
    PFF Grade:  49.7  
    PFF Rank:  88

12. Jordan Phillips, Buffalo
    PFF Grade:  48.2 
    PFF Rank:  93

13. Solomon Thomas, NY Jets
    PFF Grade:  45.1  
    PFF Rank:  100

14. Davon Godchaux, New England
    PFF Grade:  41.6
    PFF Rank:  104

15. Carl Davis, New England
    PFF Grade:  39.8
    PFF Rank:  109

16. Raekwon Davis, Miami
    PFF Grade: 39.4
    PFF Rank: 111

Linebackers

There is no doubt the Buffalo Bills have the best starting linebacker group in the league, let alone the AFC East. Tremaine Edmunds and Matt Milano have been incredible this season. The Bills predominately run with two linebackers in their base defense and whenever Milano or Edmunds are injured there is a giant drop off with their replacement. Let’s hope the starting two can stay healthy throughout the second half of the season.

1. Tremaine Edmunds, Buffalo
   PFF Grade: 83.2
   PFF Rank: 2

The Bills missed Edmunds in the 2nd half. He was covering tight ends and wide receivers with ease. pic.twitter.com/hQQMoFAkoR

— Erik Turner Cover 1 (@ErikJTurner) November 15, 2022

2. Matt Milano, Buffalo
   PFF Grade:  81.5  
   PFF Rank:  4

3. Ja’Whaun Bentley, New England
   PFF Grade:  78.0  
   PFF Rank:  10

4. Duke Riley, Miami
   PFF Grade: 73.9
   PFF Rank: 14

5. Jahlani Tavai, New England
   PFF Grade:  69.0  
   PFF Rank:  25

6. Jerome Baker, Miami
   PFF Grade:  67.5  
   PFF Rank:  35

7. Kwon Alexander, NY Jets
   PFF Grade:  65.6
   PFF Rank:  36

8. C.J. Mosley, NY Jets
   PFF Grade:  62.8  
   PFF Rank:  43

9. Elandon Roberts, Miami
   PFF Grade:  54.6  
   PFF Rank:  62

10. Mack Wilson, New England
    PFF Grade:  47.2
    PFF Rank:  73

11. Quincy Williams, NY Jets
    PFF Grade: 46.2
    PFF Rank: 74

Cornerbacks

It seems like all the AFC East teams other than the Bills put an emphasis on the secondary in recent years and it’s shown.  There are currently six top-15 cornerbacks coming out of the East and none of them play for the Bills.

Tre White has been out most of a year with a torn ACL, and after a crushing loss to the Vikings last week, and the Bills need him more than ever. Though Dane Jackson is not the answer at CB1, he’s held his own. Rookies Kaiir Elam and Christian Benford have played as well as can be expected for first-year players. Taron Johnson has done well in the nickel corner role that he’s been asked to play.

1. Jack Jones, New England
   PFF Grade: 86.9
   PFF Rank: 2

Jack Jones through 9 games:

• 199 coverage snaps
• 229 yards allowed
• 5 PD
• 2 INT
• PFF’s highest graded rookie defender

The Patriots rookie CB has been SPECIAL 🔥 pic.twitter.com/x5y55bqOUk

— NFL Rookie Watch (@NFLRookieWatxh) November 8, 2022

2. Sauce Gardner, NY Jets
   PFF Grade: 86.1
   PFF Rank: 3

When lined up in man coverage this season, Sauce Gardner has allowed 7 yards

Fewest among all Cornerbacks pic.twitter.com/ySp9bkIiE2

— PFF College (@PFF_College) November 16, 2022

3. Jonathon Jones, New England
   PFF Grade:  79.1  
   PFF Rank:  8

4. D.J. Reed Jr., NY Jets
   PFF Grade:  77.7  
   PFF Rank:  10

5. Kader Kohou, Miami
   PFF Grade:  76.5  
   PFF Rank:  14

6. Michael Carter, II, NY Jets
   PFF Grade:  76.1
   PFF Rank:  15

7. Dane Jackson, Buffalo
   PFF Grade:  65.2  
   PFF Rank:  48

8. Nik Needam, Miami
   PFF Grade:  63.7  
   PFF Rank:  53

9. Myles Bryant, New England
   PFF Grade:  63.3  
   PFF Rank:  56

10. Christian Benford, Buffalo
    PFF Grade:  60.7  
    PFF Rank:  61

11. Kaiir Elam, Buffalo
    PFF Grade:  60.5  
    PFF Rank:  62

12. Taron Johnson, Buffalo
    PFF Grade:  60.3  
    PFF Rank:  62

13. Xavien Howard, Miami
    PFF Grade:  52.7  
    PFF Rank:  90

14. Noah Igbinoghene, Miami
    PFF Grade:  48.2  
    PFF Rank:  100

15. Jalen Mills, New England
    PFF Grade: 40.4
    PFF Rank: 112

Safeties

What was once heralded as the greatest safety-tandem in the NFL is now a shadow of its former self. Micah Hyde is on the season-ending IR and Jordan Poyer has been plagued by injuries early on this season. Had Poyer played against the Vikings this past Sunday, he’d have prevented the Justin Jefferson 4^th and forever reception in the 4^thquarter and the Bills win. The Bills are 1-3 without Poyer this season. Damar Hamlin has done a tremendous job filling in for the injuries at safety.

1. Jabrill Peppers, New England
   PFF Grade: 74.6
   PFF Rank: 15

2. Jordan Whitehead, NY Jets
   PFF Grade:  71.6
   PFF Rank:  23

3. Damar Hamlin, Buffalo
   PFF Grade:  71.3
   PFF Rank:  24

4. Adrian Phillips, New England
   PFF Grade:  70.6
   PFF Rank:  27

5. Jevon Holland, Miami
   PFF Grade:  70.1
   PFF Rank:  30

6. Devin McCourty, New England
   PFF Grade:  69.0
   PFF Rank:  32

7. Jordan Poyer, Buffalo
   PFF Grade: 68.4
   PFF Rank: 33

There are a lot of things the #Bills can regret from three losses, but looking back, I earnestly believe the Bills would be 9-0 if Jordan Poyer plays against Miami, NYJ, and the Vikings. #BillsMafia

— Joseph Curtis (@josephcurtisusa) November 14, 2022

8. Kyle Dugger, New England
   PFF Grade:  65.9
   PFF Rank:  41

9. Brandon Jones, Miami
   PFF Grade:  61.1
   PFF Rank:  56

10. Lamarcus Joyner, NY Jets
    PFF Grade:  59.1
    PFF Rank:  62

11. Eric Rowe, Miami
    PFF Grade:  49.8
    PFF Rank:  75

12. Jaquan Johnson
    PFF Grade: 48.9
    PFF Rank: 79