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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 30, 2016; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills inside linebacker Zach Brown (53) sacks New England Patriots quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) during the second half at New Era Field. The Patriots beat the Bills 41-25. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 30, 2016; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills inside linebacker Zach Brown (53) sacks New England Patriots quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) during the second half at New Era Field. The Patriots beat the Bills 41-25. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports /

Zach Brown Defensive Grade Through Nine Games:

. Middle Linebacker. Buffalo Bills. ZACH BROWN. A +

Zach Brown has been a revelation for the Buffalo Bills. He was originally signed in the offseason to start for the team but when Reggie Ragland fell to the Bills in the second round, his chances of starting seemed bleak. He was given a second chance when Ragland injured his ACL and was lost for the year.

Brown has not taken that second chance for granted and he has been the Bills best defensive player. The only other player we gave an “A+” to on the defense was Lorenzo Alexander but Brown is playing at an even higher level than him.

Brown is an athletic freak. At about 250 pounds he recorded a 40 time of under 4.3 while at North Carolina. His speed allows him to get from sideline to sideline and that is why after nine weeks he was leading the NFL in tackles with 89 total (59 solo, 30 assists). In addition to the tackles, he has 3 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, and 7 run stuffs for negative 10 yards.

Pro Football Focus has him ranked as the sixth-best linebacker in the league and he excels in all areas. He’s ranked 6th against the run, 13th in coverage and 11th in pass rush. He has made several key plays for the Bills this year.

You can expect more of the same from Brown throughout the rest of the season and if he continues to play at this high level he might be in the running for the Defensive Player of the Year award.

Brown is going to get a big contract at the end of the season since he is only on a one-year deal and hopefully it’s from Buffalo. The Bills may choose to let him walk considering Ragland is due to return next season but they would be smart to retain Brown who is more well rounded than Ragland. Ragland isn’t as fast as Zach Brown and is more of a thumper like Preston Brown.

Speaking of Preston Brown, we’ll grade him out on the next slide.

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