Power Rankings: Top Post-Draft Defenses (21-26)

Oct 20, 2013; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill (17) is sacked by Buffalo Bills defensive end Mario Williams (94) during the second half at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Buffalo Bills 6-10
Last Season’s Rankings: #10 Overall Defense (333.4 total yards per game allowed) #4 Passing Defense (204.4 passing yards per game allowed) #28 Rushing Defense (128.9 rushing yards per game allowed)

Now where the Bills really struggled in 2013 was their permeable run defense. All season long the Bills front seven allowed an average of 128.9 rushing yards per game to opposing teams, including 11 games of over 100 yards. In their last seven games of the season, the Bills managed to give up an average of 137.28 yards per game along with 8 rushing touchdowns to opposing backs. While their 28 passing touchdowns allowed wasn’t the greatest statistic this season for the Bills, I think they need to help out their front seven, particularly their line backing corps if they’re going to improve next season. This season weak side LB Nigel Bradham was less than stellar, tackling opponents a combined 51 times with 0 sacks. Although sacks aren’t indicative of a LB true performance, the Sophomore LB (selected in the 4th round in 2012 out of Florida State), Bradham didn’t record a single tackle for loss, nor a single interception or forced fumble. It’s about time the Bills select a play-maker on defense who can get to the running back early and stopping the run at it’s origins, while breaking up potential touchdown passes over the middle. They have some of the most talented defensive players in all of football with inside LB Kiko Alonso (159 total tackles, 11 tackles for loss and 4 interceptions) and future hall-of-fame defensive end Mario Williams (13.0 sacks, 5 tackles for loss). This Bills defense had no problem getting to the QB, sacking opposing signal-callers 57 times (2nd-most in the NFL this season). Only problem is though that Kiko Alonso is no longer going to be playing for the Bills in 2014. In his place will be former Patriot Brandon Spikes (89 tackles, 4.5 passes defended and 6.5 tackles for loss over last two seasons in New England). Joining those two will be OLB Keith Rivers (45 tackles and one sack with New York Giants), University of Louisville ILB Preston Brown (96.6 tackles, 6.8 tackles for loss and two sacks per season in final three seasons), OLB Randell Johnson (41 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks in 2013 with FAU), DT Kyle Williams (65 tackles, 10.5 sacks and eight tackles for loss), DT Marcell Dareus (71 tackles, 7.5 sacks, two tackles for loss and three passes defended) and DE Jerry Hughes (46 tackles, 10 sacks, two tackles for loss and two passes defended). I think that even without Alonso, the Bills sack-happy rush defense thrives to the best of its ability. I think that Alonso’s injury indeed cripples the defense, but Brandon Spikes is a pretty adequate LB, too. The key is for the three Bills’ line backers to step up their game and help produce for this defense. Beckham I will especially have my eye on this season.

Byrd was probably Buffalo’s top secondary player. With him off to New Orleans, they are now in the market for another free safety. In the time since Byrd went to New Orleans, Buffalo signed former Baltimore CB Corey Graham (74 tackles, 12 passes defended and four interceptions in 2013 with Baltimore). As far as free safeties are concerned, all of the best free agents are already off the market and signed with teams. However, Aaron Williams was at least able to do somewhat of  a good job at protecting the Bills’ passing offense. From left to right, the Bills have CB Stephon Gilmore (35 tackles and 10 passes defended), Duke CB Ross Cockrell (37 tackles and three interceptions), SS Da’Norris Searcy (71 tackles and seven passes defended), FS Aaron Williams (82 tackles, 11 passes defended and four interceptions) and CB Leodis McKelvin (72 tackles and 19 passes defended). I think that unfortunate injuries have caused this team some setbacks, however with Graham and McKelvin, the Bills are set at corner. The only concern I have is that after ranking second-best in interceptions (23), sixth-best in passes defended (90) and fourth-best in passing yards per game allowed (204.4), the Bills may see a huge drop off without Kiko Alonso or J. Byrd helping intercept passes. Byrd did not really play that big of a role last season seeing as that he was injured and the Bills did fine with the exact same guys. I guess where my concern lies in how well SS Searcy and FS Williams are going to do knowing that the starting job is there for the taking. If Searcy and Williams can go out and bat balls away all the wile containing the run, the Bills will break the top-20 for sure.