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Buffalo Bills: Player grades for the 2019 Bills’ defense

By Brandon Croce

PITTSBURGH, PA - DECEMBER 15: Levi Wallace #39 of the Buffalo Bills celebrates with his defensive teammates after catching an interception in the fourth quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers on December 15, 2019 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - DECEMBER 15: Levi Wallace #39 of the Buffalo Bills celebrates with his defensive teammates after catching an interception in the fourth quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers on December 15, 2019 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /
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MIAMI, FLORIDA – NOVEMBER 17: Tremaine Edmunds #49 of the Buffalo Bills reacts after a tackle against the Miami Dolphins during the second quarter at Hard Rock Stadium on November 17, 2019 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FLORIDA – NOVEMBER 17: Tremaine Edmunds #49 of the Buffalo Bills reacts after a tackle against the Miami Dolphins during the second quarter at Hard Rock Stadium on November 17, 2019 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

Linebackers

Tremaine Edmunds

It is hard to believe that Tremaine Edmunds is only 21 years of age because in only two short years he has established himself as a fixture in this defense. The team’s middle linebacker played every snap this past season and for the second straight year finished with over 100 tackles.

The middle linebacker position is vital to this defense as he is the one calling the plays, making adjustments in addition to stopping the opposing offense. He has incredible athleticism to move sideline to sideline and fans should be excited about the future because they likely haven’t seen the best from Edmunds yet.

Grade: A-

Matt Milano

In addition to Edmunds, the Bills have another athletic linebacker playing alongside him in Matt Milano. The former fifth round pick finished third on the team with 101 total tackles, 1.5 sacks and nine passes defended. These were all career highs for Milano and it would not be surprising to see the Bills offer the outside linebacker a contract extension this offseason.

Grade: B+

Lorenzo Alexander

For the second consecutive year, the Bills are losing one of their top veteran leaders with the retirement of Lorenzo Alexander. It is rare to find players who break out in the latter part of their career but that is exactly what happened with Alexander, who got a chance during the Rex Ryan era and was one of the few players to remain once Sean McDermott took over.

Alexander will finish his career with 33 sacks, 25 of which came in the four seasons he played in Buffalo. This past year he had 55 total tackles, two sacks, and nine passes defended.

Grade: C+

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