The Buffalo Bills’ defense saw a lot of veteran leaders leave Buffalo this offseason.
Jordan Poyer was released and signed with the rival-Miami Dolphins. Micah Hyde hasn’t been re-signed up to this point, and Dane Jackson also left in free agency. Longtime cornerback Tre’Davious White was also released and signed with the Los Angeles Rams.
That large haul of exits is precisely why Sheil Kabadia of The Ringer ranks Buffalo in the lower half of the league in terms of defense placing them at No. 17.
“Last year’s Bills defense was a great example of a coach doing more with less,” Kabadia wrote. “Buffalo was not very talented and got decimated by injuries, but Sean McDermott still coached the team to a no. 12 ranking in defensive efficiency. The coaching job might be even more difficult with this year’s group. The team is in reset mode, with a number of veterans (such as safeties Jordan Poyer and Micah Hyde, edge rusher Leonard Floyd, and corner Dane Jackson) no longer on the team.”
The Bills finished ninth in the NFL in total defense a season ago. If there is anyone who can get the most out of his defensive players, it’s proven to be Sean McDermott.
