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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 /
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Oct 23, 2016; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Buffalo Bills free safety Corey Graham (20) breaks up a pass intended for Miami Dolphins wide receiver Kenny Stills (10) during the second half at Hard Rock Stadium. The Miami Dolphins defeat the Buffalo Bills 28-25. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 23, 2016; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Buffalo Bills free safety Corey Graham (20) breaks up a pass intended for Miami Dolphins wide receiver Kenny Stills (10) during the second half at Hard Rock Stadium. The Miami Dolphins defeat the Buffalo Bills 28-25. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports /

Corey Graham Defensive Grade Through Nine Games:

B. . Safety. Buffalo Bills. COREY GRAHAM

Corey Graham is a converted cornerback playing safety for the Buffalo Bills. So it should be no surprise that he is much better in coverage than he is against the run. He is ranked by Pro Football Focus as the 15th best safety in the league this year and the 9th best in coverage but he drops to 43rd best in their rankings against the run.

He was the Bills second best safety to Aaron Williams but when Williams season was ended on a dirty hit he became their best player at the position. He’s getting up there in age at 31 years old which is part of the reason that the Bills converted him from cornerback last year. Once you start to lose your speed, your time is very short in the NFL. Just look what’s happening to Darrelle Revis this year who is going to need to convert to safety soon if he wants to prolong his career.

This season, Graham has 30 tackles, 9 assists 1 sack, 6 pass deflections, 1 interception, and a run stuff for negative 1 yards. He is having a pretty good year compared to what was expected which is why he earned a “B” grade from us. Still, his best years are behind him and he wasn’t meant to be the team’s top safety. His play will likely regress in the second half of the season as the Bills secondary struggles without Aaron Williams and with their starting cornerbacks playing below expectations.

Graham might not be the one to blame but the secondary generally struggles as a unit and so due to the other players not carrying their load Graham’s stats and play is likely to suffer along with them.

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