BuffaLowDown
Fansided

Grading the Bills’ Defense Through 9 Games This Season

By Dennis Moody

Aug 20, 2016; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills assistant head coach/defense Rob Ryan (left) and head coach Rex Ryan on the field before the game against the New York Giants at New Era Field. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 20, 2016; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills assistant head coach/defense Rob Ryan (left) and head coach Rex Ryan on the field before the game against the New York Giants at New Era Field. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
13 of 17
Next
Oct 16, 2016; Orchard Park, NY, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Torrey Smith (82) runs the ball after a catch and tries to avoid a tackle by Buffalo Bills cornerback Ronald Darby (28) during the first half at New Era Field. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 16, 2016; Orchard Park, NY, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Torrey Smith (82) runs the ball after a catch and tries to avoid a tackle by Buffalo Bills cornerback Ronald Darby (28) during the first half at New Era Field. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports /

Ronald Darby Defensive Grade Through Nine Games:

C. . Cornerback. Buffalo Bills. RONALD DARBY

Ronald Darby entered the league like a bat out of hell. In his rookie campaign, he played lights out for the Bills earning a ranking from Pro Football Focus as the fourth best cornerback in the league. He was robbed of the Defensive Rookie of the Year Award when Marcus Peters won it. Peters had a fine season and led the NFL in interceptions but he also gave up more touchdowns than Darby did.

In his sophomore year, Darby has had a bit of slump. This season he has been great against the run but has struggled in coverage at times dropping his ranking down to 68th so far this season by PFF.

More from Buffalo Bills News

He has yet to record an interception this year and only had two in his rookie campaign. He needs to improve his hands. In Week 1 against the Ravens, he dropped an easy interception which would have been a pick six.

Darby has made some big plays this year like when he stopped the Rams fake punt which helped seal the victory Week 5 or when he made a big play against the Patriots on 3rd and 6 with under three minutes left in the game in Week 4.

Just like the rest of the Bills he has made sloppy mistakes too. Both Gilmore and Darby covered the same receiver on one play which allowed Torrey Smith to go one on one with the safety for what would be 53-yard touchdown pass Week 6. He’s got to smooth out his ups and downs if he wants to be a top corner in this league. He needs to improve his coverage and work on his hands.

Darby hasn’t had an awful year like Gilmore but he hasn’t lived up to his rookie year either which is why we are giving him a “C” for average play.

Part of the reason for Darby’s struggles can also be blamed on the poor play out of Bills safeties this year but a true “lockdown” corner can’t use that as an excuse. Before we get to the safeties let’s grade out the Bills nickel corner Nickell Robey-Coleman.

Home/Buffalo Bills News