Who’s your defensive surprise of the year?

[Kirby Jackson]

I see a lot of people on Walker. He would be the opposite for me. At this point, he’s a lot of traits and not a very good football player. He’s a long term shot IMO.

 

With that being said, TJ Sanders is a bit of the opposite. He’s a guy that scouts were higher on than talking heads. I always like those guys. He has a ton of skill and is a really good football player. I would not, at all, be surprised if he and Ed get a lot more pressure in the middle than we are accustomed to.

 

Some other guys to watch out for: healthy Bosa, developing Solomon, and an under-the-radar Forest. Personally, I think that the safeties aren’t very good. Rapp is an okay starter and Bishop looked lost. Obviously, he will be given a chance to develop but Forest could pass either/both on the depth chart. 

[oldmanfan]

Williams.  We all love Milano but he is injury prone.  I think he’ll get hurt again and Williams will step in and excel.

[BarleyNY]

Bosa. He’s either going to be almost our entire outside pass rush or injured. 🤞

[stlbills13]

I'm also in on Bosa. I also think one of the rookie corners is considered a top 15 CB in the NFL by January

 

My negative surprise is something I really don't want to put into writing but it also involves the secondary 

[The Firebaugh Kid]

Landon Jackson. Love this draft but this dude is gonna be a spark right away.

[SoCal Deek]

I’m praying it’s Bosa. After the disappointment of Von Miller it’d be fantastic if our high name recognition pass rusher showed up on the field instead of on the training table. Fingers crossed. 

[BuffaloBillyG]

Joey Bosa. 

 

There is a lot of clowning on the signing here but it is an excellent gamble. 

 

Bosa is signed to a 1 year deal. He has this year to show Buffalo (and the rest of the league) that he still can be "that guy". You don't do that in the trainers room. He will play through what would have sidelined him in the past as he's chasing one final big contract. Be it here in Buffalo or someplace else while we end up with a nice comp pick.

 

He's also a fiery and emotional type player that has played the majority of his home games in LA, where almost weekly fans of the opposing team out numbered Charger fans. He is going to thrive here in Buffalo with our fans bringing the noise. Dude is going to be pumped every play.

 

Also, I think they limit his snap count a bit with the rotation, especially after the first 6 games. Just a slight number nothing crazy. He will still see more than half the snaps IMO. But enough to keep him fresh and healthy.

 

I expect a 10-12 sack season from him with games where he is an absolute monster.

[JP51]

Rookie - Landon Jackson, I dont know why but I feel like he gets one responsibility go get the QB and he makes a solid impact this year... no stats or facts just literally a gut feeling.

 

Vet - My hope is that Ed Oliver has a comeback year because we have shored up DT and he can regain some solid form... but I am gonna go with Tre White... there is literally zero expectation on him and a couple years removed from injury I think he has a bit more in the tank... especially if they use him in dime  

[Don Otreply]

My defensive surprise will be in the playoffs when Josh and the offense gives us the lead against KC in the fourth quarter,  with around five left on the clock and the defense actually gets a stop with a minute or two to spare…, that would be nice…,

 

 

[BigAl2526]

The defensive line and cornerback spots both have potential for significant improvement if everybody Buffalo acquired in those areas pans out as hoped.  At linebacker, it's mainly a matter of hoping Bernard and especially Milano can stay healthy.  At safety, it's a matter of hoping that Cole Bishop can develop and provide an upgrade to Damar Hamlin.  In both cases  (LB and safety)  the potential for improvement is not terribly high.

[SoonerBillsFan]

Mad Max will make the Probowl

[Process]

Really hoping it's Forrest. We need an upgrade over Hamlin. 

[JerseyBills]

12 hours ago, MrEpsYtown said:

I think Michael Hoecht is going to crush it when he comes off the suspension. With Bosa and Landon Jackson and such I kind of almost forgot about him. He will be all over the field making plays and will be a shot in the arm for the team. He should be fresh and hungry with something to prove. 

Yup, really like him. Crazy how Beane completely revamped DL and CB, 2 weaknesses now should be strengths and are extremely deep 

[nuklz2594]

thinking this is ed olivers make or break year. no more excuses after the draft and free agency signings

[947]

It has to be one of the Safeties- either Bishop or Forrest.

 

The elephant in the room is Hamlin. We all know he's slow & terrible in coverage, maybe the worst coverage in the league. And we all also know that there's a really good chance that McD will still continue to start him, because he "knows the system"...

 

 

Edited 11 hours ago by 947

[GunnerBill]

Just now, 947 said:

It has to be one of the Safeties- either Bishop or Forrest.

 

The elephant in the room is Hamlin. We all know he's slow & terrible in coverage, maybe the worst coverage in the league. And we all also know that there's a really good chance that McD will still continue to start him, because he "knows the system"...

 

 

 

I mean he was nowhere near as bad in coverage as Bishop last year. That is why he started. We all hope Bishop has improved past Hamlin. But if he hasn't then he won't start.

[Charles Romes]

I don’t care who, but if just one of Hairston, Sanders, Jackson, Walker, Hancock, or Strong turns out to be a monster we will be in good shape. 

[DCofNC]

My biggest surprise will be if come playoff time it’s not 30% of the starters out with injury.

[jkeerie]

8 hours ago, H2o said:

I don't think it's necessarily gonna be a who, but more so a what. I think the Bills defense will not only be top 3 in sacks, but also top 3 in takeaways. Opposing QB's are going to lose sleep when they see us next on the schedule. 

To me, Babich has to be better at DC.  Maybe he didn't have the players last year, so this year there can be no excuses.

[Cash]

5 minutes ago, jkeerie said:

To me, Babich has to be better at DC.  Maybe he didn't have the players last year, so this year there can be no excuses.

 

And he *should* be better.  Last year was his first year on the job and I expect him to have learned some things.