BuffaLowDown
Fansided

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) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 6
Next
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA – DECEMBER 15: Tre’Davious White #27 of the Buffalo Bills celebrates with teammates after intercepting a pass during the first quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the game at Heinz Field on December 15, 2019 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA – DECEMBER 15: Tre’Davious White #27 of the Buffalo Bills celebrates with teammates after intercepting a pass during the first quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the game at Heinz Field on December 15, 2019 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /

Cornerbacks

Tre’Davious White

Not only was Tre’Davious White the best player on this Bills’ defense, he made a strong case for being considered one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL. The third-year pro finished the year with 58 tackles, one sack and six interceptions, which was tied for the league lead.

The coaching staff leaned heavily on White and he would regularly be expected to shut down the opposing team’s best wide receiver. More times than not, this was a battle that he won and was one of the reasons he was named an All-Pro.

Grade: A+

Levi Wallace

When a defense has a player like White on one side, the other cornerback should expect to be targeted heavily. This was exactly the case for Levi Wallace, who finished the year with 76 total tackles and two interceptions, which came in the final three games of the regular season.

It was an up and down year for Wallace that unfortunately ended with an injury that forced him to miss the playoff game against the Houston Texans. It would not be surprising to see Wallace competing for his starting job again next training camp.

Grade: B-

Kevin Johnson

The Buffalo Bills signed Kevin Johnson in the offseason on a low-risk one-year deal. The former first round pick always had the talent but had been plagued with injury during his time with the Texans. He played in all 16 regular season games with one start and finished the year with 36 total tackles, one sack and five passes defended. It would not be surprising if Johnson was re-signed by the Bills this offseason.

Grade: C+

Taron Johnson

Taron Johnson was drafted in the fourth round by the Buffalo Bills in the 2018 season and had a strong rookie season as the team’s nickel corner. He continued that strong play this year with 50 total tackles, five passes defended and one sack. The biggest concern for Johnson could be durability as he has missed time each of his first two seasons in the league due to injuries.

Grade: B-

Home/Buffalo Bills News