Where does the Bills secondary rank among the NFL’s best?

With the quarterback and wide receiver positions becoming more and more valuable each and every year in a pass-heavy league, it puts a much higher value on both the defensive line as well as the secondary. In this article, we will be taking a look at the top five secondary units in the NFL.

No. 5 Miami Dolphins

While the Dolphins offense struggles mightily at times, their pass coverage is one of their greatest strengths. Led by cornerbacks Xavier Howard and Byron Jones, this secondary is one of the best in the league. While they did struggle a bit at times last year, they have the players and the coaching to return to being an elite secondary. They don’t just have stud cornerbacks on the outside. Jevon Holland was graded as the third best free safety in the NFL according to PFF, and strong safety Brandon Jones has been reliable as well. With the new talent on the Dolphins as well as the coaching changes, I’m expecting the Dolphins to be a tough matchup for opposing wide outs and QBs. Although, Josh Allen has never seemed to have a problem against them, of course.

No. 4 Denver Broncos

Over the last couple seasons, the strength of the Broncos team has been their defense. Von Miller and Bradley Chubb were dominant on the edge. However, the Broncos secondary has been very good the last few seasons and it should be even better this year. Patrick Surtain III is going into his sophomore season and is a superstar in the making. Against elite names like Kelce, Hill, McLaurin, Chase and Waller, Surtain allowed just 60 yards on 10 targets.

They have one of the best safeties in the league in Justin Simmons, and Ronald Darby and Kareem Jackson complete the Broncos stellar secondary. Expect them to be even better this year working together as a unit for the second straight year with the talent and depth they have.

No. 3 Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Bucs seem to be very similar with the Bills. They really don’t have a weakness anywhere on their roster. Their secondary is another elite group that they carry with them. While Carlton Davis and Sean Murphy-Bunting missed time last year, the depth and development of players in the Bucs’ secondary was on display. They stepped up and still made this group the third best pass coverage team in the NFL, according to PFF. Antoine Winfield is an elite safety in the league and with a healthy Davis, James Dean and Murphy-Bunting, Tampa’s secondary is poised to shine once again.

The experience and discipline they have on defense allows them to be an elite group year after year. Even with the departure of Jordan Whitehead, Logan Ryan should be more than capable to handle the load at SS for this defense. Look for Tampa Bay to once again be towards the top of the league in passing defense.

No. 2 Los Angeles Chargers

I’m sure many are surprised to see the Chargers coming in at number two on this list. Well the reality is that they added some terrific pieces to an already top-tier secondary. They added Stefon Diggs’ favorite CB JC Jackson. While Diggs seems to have his way with Jackson, he is still an elite CB. He was ranked third in the NFL according to PFF, and finished top five in lowest completion rate and passer rating allowed. Derwin James is a First Team All-Pro safety as well. They also have CB Asante Samuel who is a top CB in the game when healthy, as well as Bryce Callahan. This is an elite CB group and secondary with James over the top. As long as they stay healthy this year, the Chargers are going to be a difficult team to pass against. While they do have those key additions, it’ll be interesting to see how they gel together as a group and if they can keep that continuity going into this year. If it plays out like it should, the Chargers will be slowing down Mahomes, Carr and Wilson in that division.

No. 1 Buffalo Bills

While this is a Buffalo Bills blog, I do my best to keep bias out of everything. However, the Bills are the most deserving team of landing the number one spot here. It’s pretty difficult to dispute as well. With a secondary group consisting of Tre White, Jordan Poyer, Micah Hyde, Taron Johnson, and first-round pick Kaiir Elam, it’s going to be very tough for opposing QBs to throw against this defense. White missed the last 6 games of the season last year and despite his loss, Dane Jackson filled the CB hole very well. The Bills defense finished first in overall pass defense and fifth overall in PFF coverage. The Bills also allowed a league best 71.1 passer rating last season.

With White returning to full strength this year, his addition and presence on the team will make the elite secondary even better. Jordan Poyer and Micah Hyde are arguably the best safety tandem in the league as well. Those two are able to play anywhere on the field and tackle as well as a linebacker. Both of them were ranked in the top three in coverage grades among safeties on PFF last year, and both were an All-Pro selection (Poyer first-team, Hyde second-team). Those two on the field together are ball hawks and have a great knack for reading the QB and diagnosing a play.

The depth in the Bills secondary is also one of the deepest in the league with Dane Jackson, Cam Lewis and Siran Neal. This should be a very fun unit to watch this year and it should only get better with Von Miller applying pressure along with sophomore linemen Gregory Rousseau and Boogie Basham. The added QB pressure should allow more big plays to be made by the Bills secondary.