Grading the Bills’ Defense Through 9 Games This Season

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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Nov 7, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) is sacked by Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Kyle Williams (95) during a NFL football game at CenturyLink Field. The Seahawks defeated the Bills 31-25. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 7, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) is sacked by Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Kyle Williams (95) during a NFL football game at CenturyLink Field. The Seahawks defeated the Bills 31-25. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Kyle Williams Defensive Grade Through Nine Games:

Kyle Williams season was shortened last year when he suffered a knee injury against the Bengals in Week 6. At the time, he was 32 years old and no one was sure how much longer he could play or how productive he would be if he could make it back. We were not those people.

For anyone who has paid attention to Williams career, they know that he is a grinder, a leader and someone who will never give up. He’s been on the Bills for eleven straight years and wants nothing more than to see the team he has worked so hard for end their playoff drought.

His desire to see that goal come to fruition can be seen with his play on the field this year. We gave Kyle Williams an “A” grade because at 33 years old he couldn’t be playing any better. So far this season he has 23 tackles, 10 assists, 3.5 sacks and 5 stuffs which amounted to eight stuff yards.

His 3.5 sacks have him on pace to have over six sacks this year which would be the second-highest total of his eleven-year career. He’s playing so well this season that Pro Football Focus has him ranked as the seventh-best interior defensive lineman in the league with a grade of 84.6.

So far this season Williams has done everything that has been asked of him and done it well. You can expect that to continue for the remainder of the year, and the remainder of his career for that matter.

It’s hard to imagine that he has many more years left as a productive player in the league but he puts in the work, he takes care of his body and he’s a natural leader. If there is anyone who has a chance to continue to be productive as he moves into his mid to late thirties, it’s Kyle Williams.

On the next slide let’s take a look at how Corbin Bryant has done for the Bills so far this year.

Schedule